Focusing lighting module

ABSTRACT

A lighting module which provides adjustably controllable illumination of a camera field of view of a camera module includes an adjustable collimator which can be adjustably positioned such that the emitted light beam is adjustably directed to illuminate various regions of various camera fields of view. The collimator can be adjusted via an actuator which adjustably positions the collimator relative to static components of the lighting module, including the light emitter. The light beam can be directed to illuminate a selected limited region of a camera field of view, based on identification of a subject within the limited region. The light beam can be adjustably directed based on user interactions with a user interface, including adjusting the light beam according to user-commanded beam angle, intensity, and direction. The light beam can be adjustably directed to illuminate a region according to different fields of view of different camera modules.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/612,234, filed Feb. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,992,396, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to lighting modules which can emit acollimated beam of light, including, without limitation, flash modulesused to illuminate subjects in images captured by a camera device.

Description of the Related Art

For small devices, including devices which include one or more miniaturecameras, it is common to including a lighting module, also referred toherein as a lighting device, which illuminates at least a portion of ascene located within a field of view of the camera (a camera is alsoreferred to herein as a “camera device”, “camera module”, etc. The fieldof view of a camera is referred to herein as a “camera field of view”.Such cameras and lighting modules can be included in a larger electronicdevice, including a mobile electronic device, which can include a mobiletelephone, smartphone, notebook, etc.

The lighting module, which can include a “flash” module, “strobe”module, etc., can emit a light beam which illuminates a space externalto the lighting module and can include the camera field of view, therebyilluminating subjects within the camera field of view for images of saidsubjects captured by the camera.

In some cases, the lighting module included in a small device includes alight source which includes a light emitting diode (LED). The lightingmodule can include a collimator, which can include a reflective deviceincluding a parabolic mirror, a refractive device including an opticallens, some combination thereof, etc. The collimator can reduce the beamdivergence (“focus”) of at least a portion of the light beam emitted bythe light source and direct the collimated light beam outwards from thelighting module.

Lighting modules included in small devices can generate a light beamwith a static collimation capability, such that the divergence (“beamangle”) and direction of the collimated light beam is static. Such alight beam, when used as for “flash” or “strobe” illumination of ascene, can flood a camera field of view with light. Such light floodingof a camera field of view can result in substantial “noise” in an imageof the camera field of view, thereby detrimentally affecting the qualityof the image. For example, where a small device includes a camera moduleand a lighting module which capture an illuminated image of a subject ina darkened scene, the lighting module may flood the darkened scene withlight due to the static light beam. While such flooding may illuminatethe subject, it may also illuminate other elements of the scene,including background and foreground objects, and may result insubstantial noise in the captured image which hinders distinction of thesubject against the rest of the scene captured in the image.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments provide a device which includes a camera module, whichcaptures images of subjects located within a camera field of view of thecamera module, and a lighting module which adjustably directs acollimated light beam to illuminate a particular limited region of thecamera field of view in which the subjects are located. The lightingmodule can include a light source which emits a light beam, a collimatorwhich collimates and directs the emitted light beam, as a collimatedlight beam, and a collimator actuator configured to adjustably positionthe collimator, relative to the light source, to control the region ofthe camera field of view illuminated by the collimated light beam. Thedevice can include a processor which controllably adjusts the collimatoractuator, such that the collimated light beam is adjustably directed toilluminate the particular limited region of the camera field of view inwhich the subject is located, relative to a remainder of the camerafield of view. The processor can controllably adjust the collimatoractuator based at least in part upon identifying the subject within animage, captured by the camera module, of the camera field of view. Thecollimator can include an optics component, including an optical lensdevice. An optical lens device can include a Fresnel lens device. Thecollimator can include a reflector device which is configured to reflectthe emitted light to collimate and direct the light beam to a selectedregion of the camera field of view. The device can include a userinterface, and the processor can controllably adjust the collimatoractuator based on a user interaction with the user interface. The userinterface can include a display interface which can, itself, display animage of the camera field of view, and the processor can controllablyadjust the collimator actuator, such that the collimated light beam isdirected to illuminate the particular limited region of the camera fieldof view in which the subject is located, based on a user-initiatedcommand, received via the user interface, which specifies the subjectincluded in the image. The user-initiated command can furtherspecifically command adjustment of the collimated light beam toilluminate the subject, relative to the remainder region of the camerafield of view. The user interface can receive user-initiated commandsspecifying the beam angle and intensity of the collimated light beam.The processor can controllably adjust the light output of the lightsource, based at least in part upon the illumination field of view. Thedevice can include multiple camera modules, including a first cameramodule and a second camera module, where each camera module can capturea separate image of a common subject located within a separate camerafield of view of the respective camera module. The processor can, inresponse to a command to the camera modules, capture separate images ofthe common subject, initially controllably adjust the collimatoractuator, based on a first camera field of view of the first cameramodule, such that the collimated light beam illuminates a particularlimited region, of the first camera field of view, which includes thesubject concurrently with the first camera module capturing a firstimage of the subject; and subsequently controllably adjust thecollimator actuator, based on a second camera field of view of thesecond camera module, such that the collimated light beam illuminates aparticular limited region, of the second camera field of view, whichincludes the subject concurrently with the second camera modulecapturing a second image of the subject.

Some embodiments provide a method, which can be performed by one or morecomputer systems, which includes selectively illuminating a limitedregion of a camera field of view of a camera device. Such selectiveillumination can include adjustably controlling a collimator includedwithin a lighting module, relative to a light source included within thelighting module, such that the collimator at least partially directs acollimated light beam to selectively illuminate a particular limitedregion of the camera field of view, relative to a remainder region ofthe camera field of view. Such adjustable control can be based at leastin part upon identifying a particular target subject within theparticular limited region of the camera field of view. Identifying theparticular target subject within the particular limited region of thecamera field of view can include identifying the particular targetsubject within a particular region of an image, captured by the cameradevice, of the camera field of view. The collimator can include anoptics component, including an optical lens device. An optical lensdevice can include a Fresnel lens device. The collimator can include areflector device which is configured to reflect the emitted light tocollimate and direct the light beam to a selected region of the camerafield of view. Adjustably controlling the collimator can includeadjustably positioning the collimator to a particular position which isassociated with directing the corresponding light beam to illuminate aparticular region of the camera field of view, based on a userinteraction with a user interface associated with the lighting module.The user interface can include a display interface which displays animage, captured by the camera device, of the camera field of view.Adjusting the collimator to a particular position can be based on auser-initiated command which specifies a particular subject included ina particular limited region of the image and commands adjustment of thecollimated light beam to illuminate the subject, relative to a remainderof the camera field of view. The user interface can receiveuser-initiated commands specifying a particular shape and direction ofthe collimated light beam. The method can include adjustably controllingthe position of the light collimation element included within thelighting module based on the user-initiated commands. Adjustablycontrolling the position of the collimator can include adjusting thelight output of the light source, based at least in part upon theluminance of the collimated light beam.

Some embodiments provide a device which includes a lighting module whichcan direct a collimated light beam to illuminate a region of separatecamera fields of view of separate camera modules. The lighting modulecan include a light source which can emit a light beam, and anadjustable collimator configured to be adjustably positioned, relativeto the light source, such that the collimator adjustably collimates anddirects the light beam according to a selected camera field of view of aselected one of the separate camera modules. The separate camera modulescan each capture a separate image in the separate camera fields of viewof a common subject, such that a plurality of images of the commonsubject in a plurality of separate camera fields of view is captured.The adjustable collimator can adjustably direct the light beam toilluminate the common subject according to each of the plurality ofcamera fields of view, such that the subject is illuminated, in eachimage of the plurality of images, according to the camera field of viewof the separate camera module capturing the image. The adjustablecollimator can adjustably direct the light beam to illuminate aparticular limited region of a selected camera field of view in whichthe subject is located, relative to a remainder of the selected camerafield of view. The device can include a user interface, where theadjustable collimator can adjustably direct the light beam to illuminatethe common subject based on a user interaction with the user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-B illustrate an electronic device which includes an adjustablycontrollable lighting module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates an electronic device which includes a camera modulewhich captures images within a camera field of view and a lightingmodule which adjustably directs a light beam to selectively illuminate aparticular limited region of the camera field of view, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates an image of a portion of the camera field of view ofthe camera module included in device, where a particular limited regionof the camera field of view in which a particular subject is located isselectively illuminated by a light beam generated and directed by thelighting module included in module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3A-D illustrate a lighting module, included in an electronicdevice, dynamically adjusting a generated light beam based on the camerafield of view of one or more associated camera modules included in theelectronic device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4A-D illustrate a lighting module, included in an electronicdevice, dynamically adjusting a generated light beam based at least inpart upon the camera field of view of one or more associated cameramodules included in the electronic device and a user interaction withone or more user interfaces associated with the electronic device,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic device, which includes a lightingmodule and a user interface which enables user-initiated commands toimplement particular adjustments of the collimated light beam generatedand directed by the lighting module included in the electronic device,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6A-C illustrate an electronic device which includes multipleseparate camera modules and a lighting module which can adjustablydirect a collimated light beam differently based on the separate camerafields of view of the separate cameras, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a lighting module which is configured to adjustablydirect a generated light beam based on adjustably positioning areflective collimator, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8A-C illustrate a lighting module which includes a reflectivecollimator which is adjustably positioned along the optical axis of thelighting module to adjust a beam angle of a light beam generated by thelighting module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a lighting module which is configured to adjustablydirect a generated light beam based on adjustably positioning a lenscollimator, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10A-C illustrate a lighting module which includes a lens collimatorwhich is adjustably positioned along the optical axis of the lightingmodule to adjust a beam angle of the light beam generated by thelighting module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lighting control module which can control a lightbeam generated by a lighting module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a lighting modulewhich can adjustably direct a generated light beam to selectivelyilluminate particular regions, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for adjustably directing a light beamgenerated by a lighting module, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for adjustably controlling a lightbeam generated by a lighting module, such that the light beam iscontrolled to selectively illuminate one or more particular regions,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method for adjustably controlling alight beam generated by a lighting module, such that the light beam iscontrolled to selectively illuminate one or more particular regions,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction devicewith a camera, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 depicts a portable multifunction device having a camera,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example computer system, according to someembodiments.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

Some embodiments provide a device which includes a camera module, whichcan capture images of scenes located within the camera field of view,and a lighting module which is adjustably controllable to provideadjustable illumination of one or more regions of the camera field ofview. Such adjustable illumination can include selective illumination ofone or more regions, limited regions, subjects, etc. of a camera fieldof view.

In some embodiments, adjustable illumination of one or more regions ofthe camera field of view, by the lighting module, includes adjustablycontrolling one or more parameters of a light beam generated by thelighting module to selectively illuminate one or more particular limitedregions of the camera field of view, relative to other remainder regionsof the camera field of view. Such illumination can be referred to as“selectively” illuminating the particular limited region relative to theremainder region. Such adjustable control can include adjustably“directing” the beam, which can include adjusting the beam direction,beam angle, etc. The particular limited regions can be one or moreselected limited regions which include one or more particular subjects,where the particular limited regions can be selected based onidentification of the one or more particular subjects in the camerafield of view and determining a particular limited region of the cameraview which includes the particular subjects and excludes at least aportion of the camera field of view. For example, where multiplesubjects are within the camera field of view, and a particular subjectof the multiple subjects is identified and selected as a “particular”subject, a particular limited region of the camera field of view can bedetermined, where the particular limited region includes the particularsubject and excludes one or more regions of the camera field of view inwhich the other subjects of the multiple subjects are located.

As used herein, a “subject” of an image, field of view, etc. refers toan object, figure, scene, some combination thereof, or the like includedwithin at least a portion of a camera field of view and can be imaged,in a captured image of the field of view. For example, where a cameracaptures an image of a portion of a room in which multiple objects(e.g., individual persons, articles of furniture, etc.) are located,where the camera field of view encompasses certain objects in the room,such that the captured image includes an image which includes thecertain objects, one or more of said objects can be referred to assubjects. In some embodiments, some or all of the scene located within acamera field of view can be referred to as one or more subjects.

In some embodiments, the lighting module is adjustably controlled todirect a light beam to selectively illuminate one or more particularlimited regions which include one or more particular subjects, based atleast in part upon selection of said particular subjects. Such selectioncan be relative to other subjects within the camera field of view. Suchselection can be based at least in part upon identification of thesubjects within the field of view. For example, the camera module cancapture an image of the camera field of view, where the captured imageincludes an image of one or more subjects, and the image can beprocessed such that one or more of the subjects are identified withinthe image. Based on identification of one or more subjects, one or moreof the subjects in the image can be “selected”, such that a limitedregion of the camera field of view is determined which includes theselected subjects and excludes at least some of the other subjects. Thelighting module can be adjustably controlled to direct a light beam,generated by the lighting module, to selectively illuminate the limitedregion, relative to a remainder region, of the camera field.

In some embodiments, the device includes a user interface which candisplay a captured image of the camera field of view, and a user caninteract with the interface to specify a particular subject. Inresponse, the lighting module can be adjustably controlled to adjustablydirect the light beam to selectively illuminate the specified subject.Specifying a subject can include a user-initiated action which selectsor identifies the subject to the exclusion of one or more othersubjects. For example, where the user interface is a touchscreendisplay, a user can touch a portion of an image in which a particularsubject is displayed, and user-initiated specification of thatparticular subject can be determined in response. Upon determinationthat a user has specified a portion of an image, a subject included inthe portion of the image can be identified, and a determination can bemade that the user has specified the particular subject included in theportion. In response to such a determination that a user has specified aparticular subject, the particular subject can be identified. Thelighting module can be controlled to adjustably direct the light beam toselectively illuminate the particular limited region of the camera fieldof view in which the particular subject is located. The particularlimited region can be determined as a region of the camera field of viewwhich encompasses the particular subject and excludes at least oneportion of the camera field of view. In some embodiments, the particularlimited region is a determined region of the camera field of view whichcan be fully and exclusively illuminated by the adjustable light beam,where the region is a smallest region of the camera field of view whichencompasses the particular subject.

In some embodiments, the lighting module is adjustably controlled basedat least in part upon user-initiated commands. For example, where a userinteracts with a user interface to specify a particular subject in adisplayed image of the camera field of view, the user can provide acommand to selectively illuminate the particular subject. Such a commandcan be provided via audio commands, visual gestures, interactions withone or more user interfaces, etc. In some embodiments, such a command isassociated with specifying a particular subject, such that a userinteraction with an image of the subject in a particular portion of adisplayed image is interpreted as both a specification of the particularsubject and a command to selectively illuminate the subject.

In response to receiving a command to selectively illuminate aparticular limited region of a camera field of view, a particularsubject located within a particular limited region of the camera fieldof view, etc., the lighting module can be adjustably controlled todynamically adjustably direct the light beam to selectively illuminatethe particular subject as the subject moves through various differentregions of the camera field of view. Such “tracking” of the subject canresult in maintaining selective illumination of the subject while thesubject moves through various regions of the camera field of view.

In some embodiments, the user-initiated commands include specific usercommands to implement particular adjustments to the light beam,including adjustments to the beam angle, beam intensity, beam direction,some combination thereof, etc. Such user commands can be received via auser interface. In some embodiments, a user interface enables a user tocommand adjustment of the lighting module according to certain usagemodes. For example, a user interface can include an interactive elementwith which a user can interact to provide a user command to adjust thelighting module to provide general illumination of a scene, where thelighting module beam angle can be broadened in response to providegeneral illumination of a scene. In another example, a user interfacecan include an interactive element with which a user can interact toprovide a user command to adjust the lighting module to provide a narrowbeam for long-range targeted illumination, where the lighting modulebeam angle can be narrowed in response.

In some embodiments, the lighting module is dynamically controlled todynamically adjustably direct the light beam to illuminate one or moreparticular regions in the camera region. For example, a camera device,in some embodiments, records a video, and the light beam directed by thelighting module can be dynamically adjusted based on subjects located inthe camera field of view, the focus level of the camera, the zoom levelof the camera, some combination thereof, etc. When the camera zooms inon a particular subject in a scene, such that the camera narrows thecamera field of view on the subject and focuses on the subject, thelighting module may be dynamically adjusted to narrow the light beam,such that the light beam is focused on illuminating the subject,relative to other regions of the narrowed camera field of view. Inanother example, where a subject approaches the location of the camera,such that the distance between the camera and the subject decreases, thecamera zoom and focus can adjust to the changing distance between thesubject and the camera; the lighting module can be adjustably controlledto adjust the light beam accordingly.

In some embodiments, light beam intensity can be dynamically adjustedbased on illumination of a scene by the light beam. For example, where abeam which selectively illuminates a particular subject is determined tobe over illuminating the subject, the beam intensity can be decreased,such that the subject illumination is decreased. In some embodiments,beam angle, beam direction, beam intensity, some combination thereof,etc. are dynamically adjusted based on a position, range, etc. of asubject within the camera field of view.

In some embodiments, the device includes multiple camera devices whichcan each capture a separate image of a scene, such that each separatecamera has a separate camera field of view, where the multiple images ofa common scene, subject, etc. can be processed to result in athree-dimensional image of the scene, subject, etc. In some embodiments,the three-dimensional image is created based at least in part upon oneor more instances of data generated by one or more non-camera devices.Data generated by one or more non-camera devices can be processed, incombination with one or more images captured by one or more cameradevices to result in the three-dimensional image. The one or morenon-camera devices, in some embodiments, are separate from the devicewhich includes one or more camera devices, and the one or more instancesof data are received at the device, from the one or more non-cameradevices, via one or more communication networks. The lighting module canadjustably control the light beam directed from the lighting module toilluminate one or more particular regions of the separate camera fieldsof view when the separate camera devices capture separate images of thescene, subject, etc. For example, where a device includes two separatecameras, where a first camera captures an image focused on a particularsubject in a scene, via a narrow camera field of view which is focusedon the subject, and a second camera captures an image focused on thebackground of the same scene via a broad camera field of view, thelighting module can narrow and direct the light beam to illuminate thesubject, to the exclusion of other portion of the scene, when the firstcamera captures the image of the narrow camera field of view, and thelighting module can further broaden and direct the light beam toilluminate the entire scene when the second camera captures the image ofthe broad camera field of view. The lighting module can adjust the lightbeam according to the field of view of a particular one of the cameras,concurrently with the particular camera engaging in image capture, inresponse to the particular camera receiving a command to capture animage of that camera's respective field of view, etc.

In some embodiments, the light beam directed by the lighting module canbe emitted continuously, in one or more beam pulses, some combinationthereof, etc. For example, where a camera device is capturing a video,the lighting module can direct a continuous light beam into one or moreregions of the camera field of view. Where the lighting module is beingcontrolled via user commands, the lighting modules can be selectivelycontrolled to provide continuous illumination, pulsed illumination, somecombination thereof, etc. In another example, where the camera module iscapturing separate images, based on separate commands to captureseparate images, the lighting module can generate a beam pulse (e.g., a“flash” or “strobe” beam) concurrently with the camera capturing animage.

In some embodiments, adjustable control of illumination by the lightingmodule can include adjustably controlling a position of a collimatorincluded in the lighting module, where the collimator collimates anddirects a light beam emitted by a light source in the lighting module.The adjustable control of the collimator position can include adjustablycontrolling a collimator actuator, such that the actuator adjusts thecollimator position. In some embodiments, the collimator is a mobilecomponent which can be adjustably positioned relative to staticcomponents in the light module, where the static components can includethe housing of the light module and the light source. The collimatoractuator can include a linear actuator which controls the motion of themobile component based at least in part upon Lorentz forces. Such alinear actuator can be referred to herein as an actuator mechanism. Insome embodiments, the actuator mechanism includes a voice coil motor(VCM), where the coil element, and the coil structure included therein,includes a voice coil formed of one or more instances of conductorelements (which can include one or more instances of conductor wiring,conductor cabling, some combination thereof, etc.) wound to form thecoil structure. Some embodiments make further use of voice coil motortechnology and include an actuator architecture suitable for improvingpower consumption, performance, reducing size, and adding extrafunctionality, including light beam stabilization.

The collimator position, relative to the light source, can be adjustablycontrolled, at least partially, by a non-transitory, computer-readablestorage medium and one or more processors (e.g., CPUs and/or GPUs) of acomputing apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium may storeprogram instructions executable by the one or more processors to causethe computing apparatus to perform calculating a position of thecollimator, relative to the light source, which results in thecollimated light beam directed by the lighting module having certainproperties, detecting a current position of the collimator relative tothe light source and calculating a displacement of the collimator by acollimator actuator necessary to move the collimator to the calculatedposition, as described herein. Light beam properties can include aparticular beam angle of the beam, a particular beam direction of thebeam, illumination of a particular one or more regions of the camerafield of view by the beam, some combination thereof, etc. Otherembodiments may be at least partially implemented by hardware circuitryand/or firmware stored, for example, in a non-volatile memory.

Lighting Module Control

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Exemplary embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touch pads), may also beused. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the deviceis not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer witha touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touchpad). In some embodiments, the device is a gaming computer withorientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming controller).In other embodiments, the device is not a portable communicationsdevice, but is a camera.

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use oneor more common physical user-interface devices, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Some embodiments include an actuator mechanism for use in one or morevarious devices. Such devices can include one or more miniature cameras,such as those used in mobile handheld devices or other multifunctiondevices. Such devices can include one or more lighting modules, such asthose used in mobile handheld device or other multifunction devices inassociated with one or more miniature cameras. In some embodiments, suchlighting modules are referred to as “flash” modules, “flash” devices,“strobe” modules, “strobe” devices, or the like.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate an electronic device which includes anadjustably controllable lighting module, according to some embodiments.The device 100 can include a mobile electronic device, including asmartphone, computer, etc.

Device 100 includes a housing 102, a camera module 104, and a lightingmodule 106. Camera module 104 can capture one or more images of one ormore scenes located within at least a portion of a field of view of thecamera module, referred to herein as the camera field of view. In someembodiments, the camera module 104 can capture separate images, based onseparate commands to capture images. The camera module, in someembodiments, can capture videos of a scene within at least a portion ofthe camera field of view. The camera module 104 can include zoom andfocus systems which enable the camera to adjust the camera field of view(e.g., narrow the field of view, broaden the field of view, focus onnearer subjects within the field of view, focus on more distant subjectswithin the field of view, some combination thereof, etc.). Lightingmodule 106 can generate and direct a light beam into a scene external todevice 100. In some embodiments, lighting module 106 generates anddirects a light beam into at least a portion of the camera field of viewof camera module 104.

Device 100 includes user interfaces 112, 114. In some embodiments,device 100 includes a single user interface. User interfaces 112, 114can be separate interfaces. For example, user interface 112 can includea touchscreen display interface, and user interface 114 can be a buttoninterface.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 1A-B, camera modules andlighting module 106 can be included on a different side of the housing102, relative to one or more user interfaces 112, 114 of the device 100.For example, as shown, modules 104, 106 can be included on an oppositeside of the housing 102, relative to interfaces 112, 114. In someembodiments, device 100 includes one or more camera modules, lightingmodules, etc. on a common side of housing 102 relative to one or moreuser interfaces. In some embodiments, a device includes multiple cameramodules, lighting modules, etc., and one or more camera modules andlighting modules can be included on a different side of housing 102relative to one or more user interfaces 112, 114, and another one ormore camera modules, lighting modules, some combination thereof, etc.can be included on a common side of housing 102 relative to one or moreuser interfaces 112, 114. In some embodiments, device 100 includesmultiple user interfaces on multiple different sides of housing 102,where at least two different user interfaces on at least two differentsides of the housing are each on a common side with one or more cameramodules, lighting modules, some combination thereof, etc.

Device 100 includes a lighting control module 108, which can beimplemented by one or more computer systems. The lighting control modulecan control one or more parameters of the collimated light beamgenerated by the lighting module 104 to control the selectiveillumination of one or more regions of the camera field of view by thelight beam generated by module 106. Lighting control module 108 caninteract with one or more of the camera module 104, lighting module 106,user interfaces 112, 114, etc. The module 108 can, in some embodiments,determine a particular selected subject within a camera field of view ofcamera module 106 to selectively illuminate, a particular selectedlimited region of the camera field of view to selectively illuminate,some combination thereof, etc. based on such determination, the module108 can determine various adjustments of the lighting module 106 toimplement such selective illumination and generate command signals toone or more components of the lighting module to implement saidadjustments.

FIG. 2A illustrates an electronic device which includes a camera modulewhich captures images within a camera field of view and a lightingmodule which adjustably directs a light beam to selectively illuminate aparticular limited region of the camera field of view, according to someembodiments. FIG. 2B illustrates an image of a portion of the camerafield of view of the camera module included in device 200, where aparticular limited region of the camera field of view in which aparticular subject is located is selectively illuminated by a light beamgenerated and directed by the lighting module included in module 200,according to some embodiments. The device 200 can be included in any ofthe above embodiments.

Device 200 includes camera module 204 and lighting module 206. Cameramodule 204 has a camera field of view 224 and can capture images of atleast a portion of a scene 210 which is included in the camera field ofview 224. In some embodiments, the camera module 204 can adjust thecamera field of view 224, such that the camera focuses, zooms, etc. onone or more portions of the scene 210. Such adjustment can be based onuser-initiated commands received through a user interface of device 200,based on processing of an image of a portion of the camera field of view224, some combination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, lighting module 206 adjustably generates anddirects a light beam 226 to selectively illuminate a particular limitedregion 242 of the camera field of view 224. The lighting module 206 canadjustably generate and direct a light beam to selectively illuminate aparticular limited region 242 in order to selectively illuminate one ormore particular subjects located within the camera field of view 224. Asis discussed further below, the light beam 226 directed by the lightingmodule can include a light beam which is collimated and directed in aparticular direction, with a particular beam angle, beam direction,etc., by an adjustable collimator included in the lighting module 206.

FIG. 2A-2B illustrate the lighting module 206 generating and directing alight beam 226 which illuminates a particular limited region 242 of thecamera field of view 224, where the particular limited region 242includes a particular subject 216 of the scene 210. As shown, the sceneincludes individual 216 and objects 212, 214, where objects 212, 214 andindividual 216 are subjects included in the camera field of view 224. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the lighting module 206 adjustably directs the lightbeam 226 to selectively illuminate a particular region 242 of the camerafield of view 242 in which individual 216 is located, to the exclusionof a remainder region of field 224 in which objects 212, 214 arelocated. As a result, lighting module 206 selectively illuminatessubject 216 to the exclusion of subjects 212, 214. Such selectiveillumination can be based at least in part upon identification ofsubject 216 and a determination to selectively illuminate subject 216.In some embodiments, such a determination includes a determination toselectively illuminate subject 216 to the exclusion of subjects 212,214. In some embodiments, lighting module 206 can adjustably direct thelight beam 226 to selectively illuminate one or more other particularlimited regions of the camera field of view 224, including a particularlimited region which includes one or more of subjects 212, 214 to theexclusion of subject 216.

FIG. 2B illustrates an image 250, captured by camera module 204, of aportion of the scene 210 included in the camera field of view 224, wherea limited region 242 of the field 224, which itself includes subject216, is selectively illuminated by the light beam 226 directed from thelighting module 206. The light beam 226 can be a beam pulse which isgenerated and directed to illuminate region 242 based on the cameramodule 204 capturing the image 205. In some embodiments, the light beam226 is continuously generated and directed prior to camera module 204capturing the image 205. As shown in FIG. 2B, subject 216 is illuminatedwhile subjects 212 and 214 are not.

In some embodiments, the particular limited region 242 is selectivelyilluminated based at least in part upon identification of the subject216, a determination to selectively illuminate at least the subject 216,and a determination of a particular limited region 242 which includesthe subject 216 and excludes at least a portion of the camera field ofview 224. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A-B, the region 242 excludesregions of the camera field of view 224 in which other portions of scene210, including subjects 212, 214, are located. The determination toselectively illuminate subject 216 can be based at least in part uponidentification of the subject as a human individual, an identificationthat the camera module 204 is presently focused on subject 216 to theexclusion of subjects 212, 214, receipt of a command specifying subject216 and commanding selective illumination of the subject 216, somecombination thereof, etc.

FIG. 3A-D illustrate a lighting module 306, included in an electronicdevice 300, dynamically adjustably directing a light beam 326 based onthe camera field of view 324 of one or more associated camera modules304 included in the electronic device 300, according to someembodiments. The lighting module, camera module, and electronic device300 can be included in any of the above embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates device 300, where camera module 304 is focused onthe entirety of scene 310. The camera field of view 324 is centered indirection 325 on subject 312 and is broadened to encompass the entirescene 310. The lighting module 306 is adjusted such that the lightingmodule directs a light beam 326 generated at module 306 to illuminateall three objects 312, 314, 316 within the scenes. As shown in FIG. 3Aand FIG. 3B, all three objects 312, 314, 316 can be referred to assubjects 312-316 included in the camera field of view 324.

In some embodiments, the lighting module 306 adjustably directs thelight beam to illuminate one or more regions of the camera field ofview, based at least in part upon the focusing, zooming, camera field ofview, some combination thereof, etc. of one or more camera modules. Asshown in FIG. 3A, for example, where camera module 304 is generally notfocused on any particular subject 312-316 in scene 310, despite beingcentered in direction 325 on subject 312, the lighting module 306adjustably directs the light beam 326 to illuminate all of the subjects312-316 included in the field of view. FIG. 3B illustrates an image 350captured by camera module 306 of the field of view 324, where the lightbeam 326 illuminates all three subject 312-316 included within the fieldof view 324. In some embodiments, including the embodiment illustratedin at least FIG. 3B, the light beam 326 illuminates a particular limitedregion of the field of view 324 in the image.

FIG. 3C illustrates device 300, where camera module 304 is focused on aparticular object 316 in scene 310, such that the camera field of view334 is centered in direction 335 on subject 316 and narrowed such thatan image 370 of the field of view 334, illustrated in FIG. 3D, isfocused on object 316. As shown, a portion of object 312 is included asa subject 312 of field 334.

In some embodiments, the lighting module 306 adjusts the light beamgenerated at the lighting module 306 based on the field of view, focus,zoom level, some combination thereof, etc. of the camera module 304. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3C, for example, the lighting module306 generates and directs a light beam 336 to selectively illuminate alimited region of field 334, such that the light beam 336 selectivelyilluminates the subject 316 upon which the camera module 306 is focused.As shown in FIG. 3C, the beam 336 is adjustably directed to center inbeam direction 337 on subject 316, where the beam angle of beam 336encompasses subject 312 to the exclusion of other subjects 312 includedin the field 334. As further shown in FIG. 3D, the lighting module 306adjusts the light beam 336 to selectively illuminate subject 316 to theexclusion of other subjects upon which the camera module 306 is notfocused, including subject 312.

In some embodiments, the lighting module 306 dynamically adjusts thelight beam generated at the lighting module 306 based on the cameramodule 304. For example, where two objects are located within a camerafield of view 324, such that one object more proximate to the cameramodule 306 than another object and overlaps the other object within thefield of view 324, the lighting module 306 can adjust the light beam 326to illuminate both objects when the camera field of view includes bothobjects and can adjust the light beam 326 to selectively illuminate theproximate object when the camera field is narrowed and focused on theproximate object, although a portion of the distant object may remainwithin the camera field of view.

FIG. 4A-D illustrate a lighting module 406, included in an electronicdevice 400, dynamically adjusting a collimated light beam based at leastin part upon the camera field of view of one or more associated cameramodules 404 included in the electronic device 400 and a user interactionwith one or more user interfaces associated with the electronic device400, according to some embodiments. The lighting module, camera module,electronic device 400, and user interface can be included in any of theabove embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates device 400, where camera module 404 is focused onthe entirety of scene 410. The camera field of view 424 is centered 425on subject 412 and is broadened to encompass the entire scene 410. Thelighting module 406 is adjusted such that the lighting module directs acollimated light beam 426 to illuminate all three objects 412, 414, 416within the scenes. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, all three objects412, 414, 416 can be referred to as subjects 412-416 included in thecamera field of view 424.

In some embodiments, the lighting module 406 adjustably directs thecollimated light beam to illuminate one or more regions of the camerafield of view, based at least in part upon user interactions with one ormore user interfaces of the electronic device. Device 400 includes auser interface 452 which can display one or more images captured bycamera module 404. In some embodiments, including the illustratedembodiments, user interface 452 includes a touchscreen display. FIG. 4Billustrates a display, on interface 452, of an image 454 captured bycamera module 406 of the field of view 424, where the subjects 412-416are illuminated by the collimated light beam 426 directed from lightingmodule 406.

In some embodiments, the device 400 can respond to a user interactionwith a region of the image by determining that the user has specifiedone or more subjects associated with that region of the image, and thelighting module 406 can, in response, adjust the collimated light beamto selectively illuminate the specified one or more subjects. As shownin FIG. 4B, a user can interact with the interface 452 via touching 458a particular region of the image 454 in which a particular subject 414is displayed. Based on such interaction, one or more portions of thedevice 400 can determine that a user has specified a particular region456 of the field of view 424. The particular region 456 can be processedto identify the subject 414 within the region 456 and a determinationcan be made, based on the identification, that the user has specifiedthat particular subject 414 included in the region 456. Based on such adetermination, the subject 414 can be identified as a particular subjectto be illuminated, relative to other regions of the field 424 in whichsubjects 412, 416 are included.

In some embodiments, based at least in part upon identification of aparticular selected subject located within a particular limited regionof the camera point of view, the lighting module can adjustably directthe collimated light beam to selectively illuminate the particularlimited region in which the particular subject is located. FIG. 4Cillustrates lighting module 406 adjustably directing the light beam 436to center 437 on a particular region of the field 424 which includesobject 414, based at least in part upon identification of the object414, based at least in part upon the user interaction with the region ofthe image 454, shown in FIG. 4B, which specifies the object 414. FIG. 4Dillustrates an image 464, displayed on interface 452, of the camerafield of view 424 where the lighting module 406 has adjustably directedthe light beam 436 to selectively illuminate a limited region in whichsubject 414 is located, excluding illumination of one or more regions ofthe field 424 in which other subject 412, 416 are located.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic device, which includes a lightingmodule and a user interface which enables user-initiated commands toimplement particular adjustments of the collimated light beam generatedand directed by the lighting module included in the electronic device,according to some embodiments. The electronic device 500 can be includedin any of the above embodiments.

In some embodiments, a lighting module adjusts a collimated light beambased on user-initiated commands received via a user interface. The userinterface can include interactive elements through which the electronicdevice can receive specific user commands to implement specificadjustments to one or more parameters of the light beam, including beamangle, beam direction, beam initialization, beam shape, beam intensity,some combination thereof, etc.

Device 500 includes a user interface 502 which, in some embodiments,includes touchscreen display interface via which device 500 can receiveuser-initiated commands based on user interaction with particularregions of the interface 502 on which particular graphicalrepresentations are displayed.

As shown, interface 502 can include a beam initialization interface 510via which the device 500 can receive user-initiated commands controllinginitialization of the light beam. In the illustrated embodiment,interface 510 enables a user to provide commands to activate ordeactivate the light beam 592 via user interaction with a slider icon512 to move the icon 512 between two separate positions 514, 516associated with activating or deactivating the beam 592. In someembodiments, interface 510 can include an interface via which device 500can receive user-initiated commands to generate a beam pulse, acontinuous beam, some combination thereof, or the like.

As shown, interface 502 can include a beam direction interface 520 viawhich the device 500 can receive user-initiated commands controlling adirection 596 in which the light beam 592 is directed, relative to thelighting module 590. In the illustrated embodiment, interface 520includes various separate interactive elements 522-528 which enable auser to provide separate commands to device 500 to move the beam 592direction “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, etc. relative to a particularframe of reference. It will be understood that interface 520 can includevarious interfaces via which the device 500 can receive user-initiatedcommands to move the beam 592 direction in any direction.

As shown, interface 502 can include a beam angle interface 530 via whichthe device 500 can receive user-initiated commands controlling a beamangle 594 of the light beam 592. In the illustrated embodiment,interface 530 includes a slider icon 538 with which a user can interactto move between two extreme points on a slider scale 536, where theextreme points 532, 534 are associated with minimum and maximum beamangles, respectively. As a result, device 500 can receive, via interface530, user-initiated commands to adjust the beam angle 594 of beam 592.It will be understood that interface 530 can encompass interface designsbeyond slider interfaces, including button interfaces associated withpredetermined beam angles.

In some embodiments, interface 530 includes interactive elements viawhich device 500 can receive user-initiated commands to adjust the shapeof the beam 592. For example, the device 500 can receive commands, viainteraction with a portion of interface 502, to adjust the shape of thecross-section of the beam 592 from a circular shape to an ellipsoidshape.

As shown, interface 502 can include a beam intensity interface 540 viawhich the device 500 can receive user-initiated commands controlling abeam intensity of the light beam 592. Beam intensity can be controlledvia controlling a light output of a light source included in thelighting module 590. In the illustrated embodiment, interface 540includes a slider icon 544 with which a user can interact to movebetween two extreme points on a slider scale 542, where the extremepoints 546, 548 are associated with minimum and maximum beam intensity,respectively. As a result, device 500 can receive, via interface 540,user-initiated commands to adjust the beam intensity of beam 592. Itwill be understood that interface 540 can encompass interface designsbeyond slider interfaces, including button interfaces associated withpredetermined beam intensity levels.

FIG. 6A-C illustrate an electronic device which includes multipleseparate camera modules and a lighting module which can adjustablydirect a collimated light beam differently based on the separate camerafields of view of the separate cameras, according to some embodiments.Electronic device 600 can be included in any of the above embodiments.

Electronic device 600 includes camera modules 602A-B and lighting module604. The separate camera modules 602A-B can capture separate images of ascene with different camera fields of view. For example, one cameramodule can capture a wide-angle image of an entire scene according to awide camera field of view, while another separate camera module cancapture a narrow-angle image of a particular subject located within thescene. Separate images of a scene captured by separate cameras withseparate camera field of view can be processed to generate a processedimage of at least a portion of a scene. Such a processed image caninclude a three-dimensional image of the portion of the scene.

In some embodiments, lighting module 506 can adjustably direct the lightbeam generated at lighting module 604 based on the field of view of aselected camera module. Where multiple camera modules are capturing animage of the scene, the lighting module 606 can adjust the light beambased on which camera module is presently engaged in capturing an image,such that each image in the multiple images captured by the multiplecamera modules includes a particular illumination associated with thefield of view of the image.

FIG. 6B-C illustrate the camera modules 602A-B each capturing a separateimage of at least a portion of scene 610, where each separate cameramodule 602 has a different camera field of view which focusesdifferently on one or more portions of the scene 610, and where thelighting module 606 adjustably directs the light beam generated at thelighting module 606 based on the camera which is presently engaged incapturing an image of one or more portions of the scene 610.

FIG. 6B illustrates camera 602B capturing a wide-angle image of theentirety of scene 610. As shown, scene 610 includes multiple variousobjects 612-616 which are captured by the camera module 602B as subjectsof the image captured by the camera module 602B. The camera field ofview 603B of camera module 602B is centered 605B on object 612, which isa human individual, but the camera module 602B is not focused on theobject 612; as a result, the camera field of view 603 encompasses theentire scene 610. As shown, lighting module 606 adjustably directs thelight beam 607B, concurrently with camera module 602B capturing one ormore images of the field 603B, to illuminate the entire scene 610. Asthe camera field of view 603B is centered in direction 605B on object612, the light beam 607B is similarly centered in beam direction 609B onobject 612, although the beam angle of beam 607B is sufficiently wide toilluminate objects 614, 616 in addition to object 612. Such illuminationmay provide low-intensity illumination of each of the objects 612-616included in the scene.

FIG. 6C illustrates camera 602A capturing a narrow-angle image which isfocused on a particular object 612 of scene 610. For example, cameramodule 602A can be “zoomed in” on object 612. The camera field of view603A of camera module 602A is centered 605A on object 612 and is focusedon object 612 such that the field of view 603A at least partiallyexcludes other portions of the scene 610, including at least some ofobjects 614, 616. As shown, lighting module 606 adjustably directs thelight beam 607A, concurrently with camera module 602A capturing one ormore images of the field 603A, to illuminate the object 612. As thecamera field of view 603A is centered in direction 605A on object 612,the light beam 607A is similarly centered in beam direction 609A onobject 612. The beam angle of beam 607A can be sufficiently wide toilluminate object 612 while excluding illumination of other portions ofboth field 603A and other portions of scene 610, including objects 614,616, which are outside the field 603A.

In some embodiments, cameras 602A-B capture separate images of theseparate camera fields of view 603A-B sequentially. Lighting module 606can adjust the light beam direction and beam angle separately for theseparate camera modules which are presently capturing an image. Forexample, where camera 602B initially captures an image of field 603Bfirst and camera module 602A subsequently captures an image of field603A, lighting module 606 can initially adjustably direct light beam607B to illuminate scene 610 concurrently with camera module 602Bcapturing an image of field 603B, and lighting module 606 cansubsequently adjustably direct light beam 607A to illuminate at leastobject 612 concurrently with camera module 602A capturing an image offield 603A. Lighting module 606 can adjust the light beam direction,beam angle, etc. according to camera field of view of a selected cameramodule, of the multiple camera modules, based at least in part upon thatcamera module engaging in capturing an image of the module's respectivecamera field of view, based at least in part upon that camera modulereceiving a command to capture an image of the module's respectivecamera field of view, some combination thereof, or the like.

Lighting Module

In some embodiments, the lighting module which is configured toadjustably direct a collimated light beam based on adjustablypositioning a collimator includes a light source and a collimator. Thelight source can include any known light beam emitters, including,without limitation, a light emitting diode (LED). As used herein, acollimator can be referred to as an “optical collimator” which at leastpartially focuses and directs the light beam emitted by the lightsource, such that the directed light beam, referred to herein as a“collimated light beam”, is directed by the lighting module in aparticular direction and with a particular beam angle.

Collimators can include various devices which are configured to redirectat least a portion of the light beam emitted by the light source, sothat the light beam exiting the lighting module is at least partiallyfocused to have a particular beam angle and beam direction. In someembodiments, the collimator includes one or more optical lens devices.In some embodiments, the collimator includes one or more reflectivedevices, including a mirror. A mirror can include a parabolic mirror. Insome embodiments, the collimator comprises a catadioptric system whichincludes one or more optical lens devices and one or more reflectivedevices.

In some embodiments, the light beam exiting the lighting module can beadjustably directed to travel in a particular beam direction andaccording to a particular beam angle, such that the light beamselectively illuminates a particular region of a particular camera fieldof view, such that the light beam has certain properties, such that thelight beam selectively illuminates a particular object in a scene, somecombination thereof, or the like. To adjustably direct the light beam,the lighting module can include a collimator which can be adjustablypositioned to adjust one or more of the beam direction and beam angle ofthe collimated light beam. An adjustable collimator can be coupled toone or more collimator actuators which are controllable to adjust theposition of the collimator, relative to a position of the light source,to adjust the collimated light beam exiting the lighting module.

FIG. 7 illustrates a lighting module which is configured to adjustablydirect a generated light beam based on adjustably positioning areflective collimator, according to some embodiments. The lightingmodule can be included in any of the above embodiments. The lightingmodule 700 can include a miniaturized lighting module which can beincluded in an electronic device where the miniaturized lighting moduleis associated with a miniaturized camera module.

Lighting module 700 can include a substrate 704 and a cover 702, wherethe cover couples with the substrate to establish an interior enclosureof the lighting module 700. In some embodiments, the substrate 704extends beyond the lighting module and is included in the structure ofan electronic device in which the lighting module is coupled, such thatthe lighting module 700 can be considered to be coupled to the substrate704.

Lighting module 700 includes a light source 706, which can include anylight beam emitter, including a light emitting diode (LED). The lightsource can emit a light beam which is directed out of the lightingmodule 700, such that the lighting module 700 is referred to as“generating” a light beam. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 702 of themodule 700 includes an opening 703 through which a light beam emittedfrom light source 704 can be directed out of the lighting module 700. Insome embodiments, the light source included in a lighting module,including the light source 706, comprises a set of multiple lightsources which can be separately and independently controlled.

Lighting module 700 includes a collimator 710 which at least partiallycollimates and directs the light beam emitted at the light source 706,such that the light beam exiting the module 700 through opening 703 is acollimated light beam which is directed in a particular direction, andhas a particular beam angle, based at least in part upon the collimator710 collimating and directing at least a portion of the light beamemitted at light source 706.

In the illustrated embodiment, the collimator 710 includes a reflectivedevice which includes interior reflective surfaces 711 which reflect thelight beam emitted by light source 706 in one or more particulardirections. The direction in which a light beam emitted by light source706 is directed can be based at least in part upon the angle at whichthe emitted beam reaches a particular portion on the reflective surface,the angle of the particular portion of the reflective surface relativeto the emitted beam, etc. In some embodiments, the collimator 710 isconfigured to redirect any portion of the emitted light beam whichreaches any portion of the reflective surface 710 to travel in a commondirection. As used herein, a collimator which includes a reflectivedevice, including the collimator 710 shown in FIG. 7, can be referred toas a “reflective collimator”, “reflective optical collimator,” etc.

Lighting module 700 includes two collimator actuators 720 which canadjust a position of the collimator 710 along an optical axis 730,relative to the light source 706, such that the collimator 710 isadjustably positioned to adjustably direct the collimated light beam. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each actuator 720 includes a magnet 714 anda coil assembly 712 which can adjustably position the collimator 710based on Lorentz forces, which can be generated based on an electricalcurrent being applied to the coil assembly 712. The coil assembly caninclude a voice coil assembly, such that an actuator 720 can include avoice coil motor. The coil assemblies 712 can include one or moreelectrical leads (not shown in FIG. 7) which extend out of the lightingmodule 700, where the coil assemblies can receive an electrical currentvia the one or more electrical leads and where the coil assemblies canadjustably position the collimator 710 to a particular position based atleast in part upon the electrical current applied to the coil assemblies712. Such an electrical current can be referred to as a command signaltransmitted to the collimator actuator to control the actuator toadjustably position the collimator to a particular position.

It will be understood that the collimator actuator can include, in someembodiments, can include other known actuator mechanisms, including oneor more mechanical actuator mechanisms. The number of collimatoractuators, and the positions of the collimator actuator elementsrelative to the collimator, can be varied. For example, with referenceto the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, some embodiments can include anactuator 720 which includes a magnet 714 directly coupled to thecollimator 710 and a coil assembly 712 directly coupled to the cover702, rather than the illustrated embodiment which includes a coilassembly directly coupled to the collimator 710 and a magnet 714directly coupled to the cover 702. In the illustrated embodiment, atleast the cover, magnet, and light source can be referred to as “staticcomponents” of the lighting module, as such elements of the module donot move relative to the module 700 as a whole, relative to thesubstrate 704, relative to an electronic device in which the module 700is included, some combination thereof, etc. In the illustratedembodiment, at least the collimator and coil assemblies can be referredto as “mobile components” of the lighting module, as such elements ofthe module can be adjustably positioned relative to the staticcomponents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting module is configured toadjustably position the collimator along the optical axis 730. It willbe understood that, in some embodiments, the lighting module 700 isconfigured to adjustably position the collimator 710 along one or moreaxes which are orthogonal to the optical axis 730. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the lighting module 700 includes one or morecollimator actuators 740 which can adjustably position the collimator710 in a direction 731 which is orthogonal to the axis 730. Theactuators 740 include a coil assembly 742 and a magnet 744. In theillustrated embodiment, the coil assembly 742 is coupled to thecollimator 710 and the magnet 744 is coupled to the substrate 704. Itwill be understood that, in some embodiments, an actuator 740 caninclude a magnet coupled to the collimator and a coil assembly coupledto the substrate 704.

Lighting module includes one or more spring assemblies 717, 719 which atleast partially restrict, dampen, etc. the motion of the collimator inone or more directions of motion. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, top spring assemblies 719 and bottom spring assemblies 717at least partially restrict the motion of the collimator 710 in thedirection of the optical axis 730. The spring assemblies 717, 719 can,in some embodiments, restrict the motion of the collimator 710 indirections other than those along the optical axis 730.

In some embodiments, the lighting module 700 includes one or moreposition sensors which generate output signals indicating a position ofthe collimator 710 within the module 700. The position sensors caninclude one or more hall sensors which generate output signals whichindicate a relative position of the collimator 710 based at least inpart upon a magnetic field, generated by one or more components of oneor more actuators 720, 740, which is sensed by the one or more hallsensors.

FIG. 8A-C illustrate a lighting module which includes a reflectivecollimator which is adjustably positioned along the optical axis of thelighting module to adjust a beam angle of the light beam generated bythe lighting module, according to some embodiments. The lighting module700 can be included in any of the above embodiments.

FIG. 8A illustrates lighting module 700 in a “neutral” state, where thereflective collimator 710 included in the module 700 is positioned at anequilibrium position where Lorentz forces are not acting on thecollimator 710. As shown, a light beam 802A is emitted by light source706, and the reflective collimator 710 reflects at least a portion ofthe emitted beam 702A which reaches the reflective surface 711 of thecollimator 710. Such a partially reflected beam exits the module 700,through opening 703, as a collimated light beam 804A. As shown, thecollimated light beam 804A has a particular beam angle 806A when exitingthe module 700.

In some embodiments, the reflective collimator is adjusted in positionrelative to the light source, based at least in part upon the collimatoractuator, such that at least the beam angle of the collimated light beamis adjusted. The beam angle can be adjusted to a particular value, suchthat the collimated light beam is directed to illuminate a particularselected region external to the module 700, exclusive of one or moreother selected regions external to the module 700.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the actuators 720 can adjustably position thecollimator along the optical axis 730, so that the collimator istranslated 820A a particular distance away from the light source 706along the optical axis 730. Spring assemblies 717, 719 can at leastpartially counteract the forces applied on the collimator 710 by theactuators 720 and at least partially restrict motion of the collimator710 in one or more directions. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8B,the spring assemblies 717, 719 restrict the position of the collimator710 to be not less than a minimum distance from the cover 702 opening703.

As shown in FIG. 8B, adjustably positioning the collimator 710 a certaindistance 820A away from the light source 706 along axis 730 results inthe collimated light beam 804B having a decreased beam angle 806B,relative to the beam angle 806A of the beam 804A when the collimator iscloser to the light source 706 along axis 730. The distance 820A alongwhich the collimator 710 is adjustably positioned (“moved”) cancorrespond with adjusting the beam angle of the collimated beam 804B tothe particular beam angle 806B. The particular beam angle 806B can beassociated with the beam 804B illuminating a particular limited regionof a camera field of view, a particular subject within the camera fieldof view, etc. For example, the collimator can be adjustably positioned820A away from the neutral state shown in FIG. 8A and away from thelight source 706, such that the emitted beam 802B is collimated into acollimated light beam 804B which is focused to selectively illuminate aparticular selected subject located within a particular limited regionof a camera field of view of a camera module associated with module 700,relative to a remainder region of that camera field of view.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the actuators 720 can adjustably position thecollimator along the optical axis 730, so that the collimator istranslated 820B a particular distance towards the light source 706 alongthe optical axis 730. Spring assemblies 717, 719 can at least partiallycounteract the forces applied on the collimator 710 by the actuators 720and at least partially restrict motion of the collimator 710 in one ormore directions. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8C, the springassemblies 717, 719 restrict the position of the collimator 710 to benot less than a minimum distance from the substrate 704.

As shown in FIG. 8C, adjustably positioning the collimator 710 a certaindistance 820B towards the light source 706 along axis 730 results in thecollimated light beam 804C having an increased beam angle 806C, relativeto the beam angle 806A of the beam 804A, shown in FIG. 8A, when thecollimator is further from the light source 706 along axis 730. Thedistance 820B along which the collimator 710 is adjustably positioned(“moved”) can correspond with adjusting the beam angle of the collimatedbeam 804C to the particular beam angle 806C. The particular beam angle806C can be associated with the beam 804C illuminating an entirety ofthe camera field of view. For example, the collimator can be adjustablypositioned 820B away from the neutral state shown in FIG. 8A and towardsthe light source 706, such that the emitted beam 802C is collimated intoa collimated light beam 804C which illuminates an entirety of a sceneincluded within a camera field of view of a camera module associatedwith module 700.

FIG. 9 illustrates a lighting module which is configured to adjustablydirect a generated light beam based on adjustably positioning a lenscollimator, according to some embodiments. The lighting module can beincluded in any of the above embodiments. The lighting module 900 caninclude a miniaturized lighting module which can be included in anelectronic device where the miniaturized lighting module is associatedwith a miniaturized camera module.

Lighting module 900 can include a substrate 904 and a cover 902, wherethe cover couples with the substrate to establish an interior enclosureof the lighting module 900. In some embodiments, the substrate 904extends beyond the lighting module and is included in the structure ofan electronic device in which the lighting module is coupled, such thatthe lighting module 900 can be considered to be coupled to the substrate904.

Lighting module 900 includes a light source 906, which can include anylight beam emitter, including a light emitting diode (LED). The lightsource can emit a light beam which is directed out of the lightingmodule 900, such that the lighting module 900 is referred to as“generating” a light beam. As shown in FIG. 9, the cover 902 of themodule 900 includes an opening 903 through which a light beam emittedfrom light source 904 can be directed out of the lighting module 900.

Lighting module 900 includes a collimator 910 which at least partiallycollimates and directs the light beam emitted at the light source 906,such that the light beam exiting the module 900 through opening 903 is acollimated light beam which is directed in a particular direction, andhas a particular beam angle, based at least in part upon the collimator910 collimating and directing at least a portion of the light beamemitted at light source 906.

In the illustrated embodiment, the collimator 910 includes an opticscomponent, which can include one or more optical lenses. Such an opticscomponent can include one or more Fresnel lenses, such as shown incollimator 910. As used herein, a collimator which includes an opticscomponent, including the collimator 910 shown in FIG. 9, can be referredto as a “lens collimator”, “lens optical collimator,” etc.

Lighting module 900 includes two collimator actuators 920 which canadjust a position of the collimator 910 along an optical axis 930,relative to the light source 906, such that the collimator 910 isadjustably positioned to adjustably direct the collimated light beam. Inthe illustrated embodiment, each actuator 920 includes a magnet 914 anda coil assembly 912 which can adjustably position the collimator 910based on Lorentz forces, which can be generated based on an electricalcurrent being applied to the coil assembly 912. The coil assembly caninclude a voice coil assembly, such that an actuator 920 can include avoice coil motor. The coil assemblies 912 can include one or moreelectrical leads (not shown in FIG. 9) which extend out of the lightingmodule 900, where the coil assemblies can receive an electrical currentvia the one or more electrical leads and where the coil assemblies canadjustably position the collimator 910 to a particular position based atleast in part upon the electrical current applied to the coil assemblies912. Such an electrical current can be referred to as a command signaltransmitted to the collimator actuator to control the actuator toadjustably position the collimator to a particular position.

It will be understood that the collimator actuator can include, in someembodiments, can include other known actuator mechanisms, including oneor more mechanical actuator mechanisms. The number of collimatoractuators, and the positions of the collimator actuator elementsrelative to the collimator, can be varied. For example, with referenceto the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 9, some embodiments can include anactuator 920 which includes a magnet 914 directly coupled to thecollimator 910 and a coil assembly 912 directly coupled to the cover902, rather than the illustrated embodiment which includes a coilassembly directly coupled to the collimator 910 and a magnet directlycoupled to the cover 914. In the illustrated embodiment, at least thecover, magnet, and light source can be referred to as “staticcomponents” of the lighting module, as such elements of the module donot move relative to the module 900 as a whole, relative to thesubstrate 904, relative to an electronic device in which the module 900is included, some combination thereof, etc. In the illustratedembodiment, at least the collimator and coil assemblies can be referredto as “mobile components” of the lighting module, as such elements ofthe module can be adjustably positioned relative to the staticcomponents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting module is configured toadjustably position the collimator along the optical axis 930. It willbe understood that, in some embodiments, the lighting module 900 isconfigured to adjustably position the collimator 910 along one or moreaxes which are orthogonal to the optical axis 930. For example, thelighting module 900 can include one or more collimator actuators whichcan adjustably position the collimator 910 in a direction orthogonal tothe axis 930.

Lighting module includes one or more spring assemblies 917, 919 which atleast partially restrict, dampen, etc. the motion of the collimator inone or more directions of motion. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, top spring assemblies 919 and bottom spring assemblies 917at least partially restrict the motion of the collimator 910 in thedirection of the optical axis 930. The spring assemblies 917, 919 can,in some embodiments, restrict the motion of the collimator 910 indirections other than those along the optical axis 930.

FIG. 10A-C illustrate a lighting module which includes a lens collimatorwhich is adjustably positioned along the optical axis of the lightingmodule to adjust a beam angle of the light beam generated by thelighting module, according to some embodiments. The lighting module 900can be included in any of the above embodiments.

FIG. 10A illustrates lighting module 900 in a “neutral” state, where thelens collimator 910 included in the module 900 is positioned at anequilibrium position where Lorentz forces are not acting on thecollimator 910. As shown, a light beam 1002A is emitted by light source906, and the lens collimator 910 focuses at least a portion of theemitted beam 902A which reaches the collimator 910. Such a partiallyfocused beam exits the module 900, through opening 903, as a collimatedlight beam 1004A. As shown, the collimated light beam 1004A has aparticular beam angle 1006A when exiting the module 900.

In some embodiments, the lens collimator is adjusted in positionrelative to the light source, based at least in part upon the collimatoractuator, such that at least the beam angle of the collimated light beamis adjusted. The beam angle can be adjusted to a particular value, suchthat the collimated light beam is directed to illuminate a particularselected region external to the module 900, exclusive of one or moreother selected regions external to the module 900.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the actuators 920 can adjustably position thecollimator along the optical axis 930, so that the collimator istranslated 1020A a particular distance towards from the light source 906along the optical axis 930. Spring assemblies can at least partiallycounteract the forces applied on the collimator by the actuators and atleast partially restrict motion of the collimator in one or moredirections. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10B, the springassemblies can restrict the position of the collimator 910 to be notless than a minimum distance from the substrate 904.

As shown in FIG. 10B, adjustably positioning the collimator 910 acertain distance 1020A towards the light source 906 along axis 930results in the collimated light beam 1004B having an increased beamangle 1006B, relative to the beam angle 1006A of the beam 1004A when thecollimator is closer to the light source 906 along axis 930. Thedistance 1020A along which the collimator 910 is adjustably positioned(“moved”) can correspond with adjusting the beam angle of the collimatedbeam 1004B to the particular beam angle 1006B. The particular beam angle1006B can be associated with the beam 1004B illuminating an entirety ofa camera field of view. For example, the collimator can be adjustablypositioned 1020A, such that the emitted beam 1002B is collimated into acollimated light beam 1004B which illuminates an entirety of a sceneincluded within a camera field of view of a camera module associatedwith module 900.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the actuators 920 can adjustably position thecollimator along the optical axis 930, so that the collimator istranslated 1020B a particular distance away from the light source 906along the optical axis 930. Spring assemblies can at least partiallycounteract the forces applied on the collimator by the actuators and atleast partially restrict motion of the collimator in one or moredirections. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 10C, the springassemblies can restrict the position of the collimator 910 to be notless than a minimum distance from the cover 902 opening 903.

As shown in FIG. 10C, adjustably positioning the collimator 910 acertain distance 1020B towards the light source 906 along axis 930results in the collimated light beam 1004C having a decreased beam angle1006C, relative to the beam angle 1006A of the beam 1004A when thecollimator is further from the light source 906 along axis 930. Thedistance 1020B along which the collimator 910 is adjustably positioned(“moved”) can correspond with adjusting the beam angle of the collimatedbeam 1004C to the particular beam angle 1006C. The particular beam angle1006C can be associated with the beam 1004C illuminating a particularlimited region of a camera field of view, a particular subject withinthe camera field of view, etc. For example, the collimator can beadjustably positioned 1020B, such that the emitted beam 1002C iscollimated into a collimated light beam 1004C which is focused toselectively illuminate a particular selected subject located within aparticular limited region of a camera field of view of a camera moduleassociated with module 900, relative to a remainder region of thatcamera field of view.

FIG. 11 illustrates a lighting control module which can control a lightbeam generated by a lighting module, according to some embodiments. Thelighting control module 1100 can be implemented by one or more computersystems, discussed further below. The lighting control module 1100 canbe included in any of the above embodiments.

Lighting control module 1100 includes, in some embodiments variousmodules which interact with one or more particular components of anelectronic device. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, module1100 includes a camera interaction module 1110, a lighting interactionmodule 1120, and an interface interaction module 1130.

Camera interaction module 1110 interacts with a camera module of anelectronic device to implement various functions associated with one ormore of the camera module, a lighting module included in the electronicdevice, some combination thereof, etc. In some embodiments, module 1110includes an image capture module 1102 which commands a camera module tocapture one or more images of a camera field of view of the cameramodule. In some embodiments, module 1102 can command a camera module tocapture a video of the camera field of view. In some embodiments, module1102 can command multiple camera modules to capture images of separatecamera field of view. In some embodiments, module 1102 generatescommands based on user interactions with the electronic device,including user-initiated commands to activate the camera module,user-initiated commands to capture one or more images, user-initiatedcommands to capture one or more videos, some combination thereof, etc.

In some embodiments, module 1110 includes a camera focusing module 1106which determines a present focusing setting, including a present zoomsetting, of the camera module. Module 1106, in some embodiments, candetermine a present camera field of view of the camera module. In someembodiments, module 1110 includes an image processing module 1104 whichprocesses images captured by a camera module to identify particularlimited regions of the camera field of view, particular subjects withinparticular limited regions of the camera field of view, etc. module 1104can include a subject identifier module 1105 which can analyze anidentified subject to associate the subject with one or more knownreal-world objects (e.g., a ball, a chair, a particular human with aknown identity, a human being of unknown identity, a human hand, a humanhand making a particular known gesture, etc.), such that module 1104 canprocess an image to identify a particular subject as a particularreal-world object. In some embodiments, module 1104 selectivelyprocesses a particular limited region of a captured image based at leastin part upon a user-initiated command which specifies the particularlimited region, based at least in part upon user interaction with adisplayed image of the camera field of view. In some embodiments, module1104 can determine a particular limited region of the camera field ofview, determined at module 1106, which encompasses a particular subjectand excludes other portions of the camera field of view, including otherregions which include other subjects, based at least in part uponidentifying the particular subject within the camera field of view, adetermination that the camera field of view is focused on the particularsubject, some combination thereof, etc.

Lighting interaction module 1120 interacts with a lighting module of anelectronic device to implement various functions associated with thelighting module included in the electronic device. In some embodiments,module 1120 adjustably controls the lighting module such that thelighting module selectively illuminates a particular limited region of acamera field of view, selectively illuminates a particular subjectwithin a particular limited region of a camera field of view, generatesa collimated light beam having particular beam parameters, somecombination thereof, etc. Module 1120 can implement such control basedon data from one or more of modules 1110, 1130, etc. For example, basedat least in part upon a known camera field of view received from module1106 and an identification of a particular subject within a particularlimited region of the camera field of view at module 1104, module 1120can adjustably control the lighting module to selectively illuminate aparticular limited region of the camera field of view which selectivelyilluminates the particular subject, relative to a remainder region ofthe camera field of view. In another example, based at least in partupon commanded beam parameters received from module 1130, module 1120can adjustably control the lighting module to generate a collimatedlight beam having the commanded beam parameters.

In some embodiments, module 1120 includes a beam parameter module 1122which determines beam parameters of the collimated light beam generatedby the lighting module. In some embodiments, module 1122 determines beamparameters of the light beam which result in a particular selectiveillumination by the lighting module. For example, where module 1120determines to selectively illuminate a particular subject in aparticular limited region of a camera field of view, module 1122 candetermine a particular set of beam parameters associated with a lightbeam which would achieve such selective illumination. Beam parameterscan include one or more of beam intensity, beam angle, beam divergence,beam shape, beam cross sectional area, beam direction, some combinationthereof, etc.

In some embodiments, module 1120 includes a collimator position modulewhich can determine a position of a collimator, relative to a lightsource, within the lighting module which results in the collimatordirecting a collimated light beam having the beam parameters determinedat module 1122. Such a position can be determined with relation to oneor more reference points in the lighting modules, including a particulardistance from the light source, along an optical axis of the lightsource of the lighting module, a position between two extreme positionsalong one or more directional axes, etc. In some embodiments, module1120 includes a light output control module 1128 which determines aparticular light output of the light source which results in aparticular illumination of one or more subjects. Module 1128 candetermine a reduced or increased light output of the light source whichresults in a particular level of illumination of the subject, which canbe based at least in part upon an estimated depth of the subject fromthe lighting module, a beam angle of the light beam generated at thelighting module, etc. In some embodiments, module 1120 includes anactuator module 1126 which determines a particular command signal togenerate for transmission to one or more collimator actuators toadjustably position the collimator according to the position determinedat module 1124. The command signal can include a particular electricalsignal, including a particular electrical current, which is associatedwith the actuator implementing the particular determined adjustablepositioning of the collimator.

Interface interaction module 1130 interacts with a user interface of anelectronic device to implement various functions associated with thelighting module, camera module, etc. included in the electronic device.In some embodiments, module 1130 interacts with one or more modules1110, 1120 based on user interactions with the user interface, includinggenerating commands to one or more of modules 1110, 1120 based onreceiving user-initiated commands via one or more user interfaces.

In some embodiments, module 1130 includes an image display module 1131which displays an image captured by a camera module of the electronicdevice on the user interface and can determine a receipt of one or morevarious user-initiated commands based on determining one or more userinteractions with the displayed image, one or more user interfaces, etc.Module 1131 includes a user input module 1132 which can determine one ormore particular user interactions with one or more user interfaces. Suchuser interactions can include audio commands received via an audiointerface of the electronic device, including one or more microphones;visual commands received via one or more camera modules; text commandsreceived via one or more text interfaces, user interactions with one ormore regions of the displayed image, etc. For example, where module 1131displays a captured image of the camera module field of view on atouchscreen display interface, module 1132 can determine that a user hasinteracted with a particular region of the displayed image,corresponding to a particular region of the camera field of view, bytouching a portion of the display interface upon which the particularregion is displayed. Module 1132 can process such user interaction anddetermine that the user has provided a user-initiated command whichspecifies the limited region of the camera field of view correspondingto the interacted region of the image, specifies one or more particularsubjects included within the interacted region, some combinationthereof, etc. In some embodiments, module 1131 can determine, based upondetermining such specification, to have received a user-initiatedcommand to selectively illuminate the specified region, subject(s), etc.Module 1131 includes a subject identification module 1133 which canidentify and select for selective illumination one or more particularsubjects within a particular specified limited region of the camerafield of view. Module 1132 can process the specified region to identifyvarious subjects located within the region and select a particularidentified subject from the identified subjects. The selected subjectcan be selected based on a priority associated with identification of areal-world object corresponding to the subject. For example, where aspecified limited region includes an subject determined to correspond toa chair and an subject determined to correspond to a human individual,module 1133 can select the image subject corresponding to the humanindividual as the selected particular subject, based on a determinationthat a human subject is associated with a higher selection priority thana chair subject. Based on selection of a subject at module 1131, module1120 can adjustably control a lighting module to selectively illuminatethe selected subject within a limited region of the camera field ofview, relative to a remainder region of the camera field of view.

In some embodiments, module 1130 includes a beam interface module 1134which receives user-initiated commands which command particular beamparameters of the light beam generated by the lighting module, such thatmodule 1120 can adjustably control the lighting module based on suchuser-initiated commands. Module 1134 can generate and provide one ormore beam parameter control interfaces to a user via one or more userinterfaces of the electronic device, including one or more touchscreendisplay interfaces. Module 1134 can include a beam size module 1135which can provide a user interface via which the module 1130 can receiveuser-imitated commands to implement particular adjustments to the beamangle of the light beam, based at least in part upon particular userinteractions with the provided user interface. Module 1134 can include abeam shape module 1136 which can provide a user interface via which themodule 1130 can receive user-initiated commands to implement particularadjustments to the beam shape, cross sectional area, etc. of the lightbeam, based at least in part upon particular user interactions with theprovided user interface. Module 1134 can include a beam intensity module1137 which can provide a user interface via which the module 1130 canreceive user-initiated commands to implement particular adjustments tothe intensity of the light beam, based at least in part upon particularuser interactions with the provided user interface. Module 1134 caninclude a beam direction module 1138 which can provide a user interfacevia which the module 1130 can receive user-initiated commands toimplement particular adjustments to the beam direction, vector, etc. ofthe light beam, based at least in part upon particular user interactionswith the provided user interface.

Manufacturing and Lighting Control Methods

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a lighting modulewhich can adjustably direct a generated light beam to selectivelyilluminate particular regions, according to some embodiments. The methodcan be implemented with regard to any of the above embodiments oflighting modules. A lighting module can be manufactured via operation ofone or more actuators, manipulators, etc. which can be at leastpartially controlled by one or more computer systems.

At 1202, a static component is provided. The static component caninclude a substrate upon which a remainder of the lighting module ismanufactured. In some embodiments, the substrate is included within thelighting module, such that providing the static component includescoupling the substrate to another structure, which can include a portionof an electronic device which is separate from the lighting module. Insome embodiments, providing a static component includes providing thesubstrate on a surface. In some embodiments, the provided staticcomponent includes one or more mounting structures upon which additionalcomponents of the lighting module can be mounted.

At 1204, a light source is installed. The light source can include alight emitting diode. The light source can be coupled to one or moreelectrical connections, also referred to herein as electrical leads,where the electrical leads can be coupled to the light source prior toinstalling the light source. The light source can emit a light beambased on receiving electrical power via one or more of the electricalleads.

Installing the light source can include coupling one or more lightsources to one or more of the static components. In some embodiments,multiple light sources are coupled to one or more of the staticcomponents, such that the lighting module includes a set of multiplelight sources. For example, the light source can be coupled to asubstrate, mounted on a mounting structure, some combination thereof,etc. In some embodiments, “mounting” and “coupling” can be usedinterchangeably.

At 1206, at least a portion of one or more collimator actuators areinstalled on a collimator. Such installation can be implementedseparately from the static component and light source. Installation caninclude directly coupling at least a portion of one or more collimatoractuators to the collimator, coupling one or more other portions of theone or more collimator actuators via one or more spring assemblies, somecombination thereof, etc. For example, where a collimator actuatorincludes a Lorentz actuator which includes a magnet and a coil assembly,installing at least a portion of one or more collimator actuators on thecollimator can include directly coupling the coil assembly to thecollimator and coupling the magnet to the coupled assembly via one ormore spring assemblies. In another example, the installing can includedirectly coupling the magnet to the collimator and coupling the coilassembly to the magnet via one or more spring assemblies. In someembodiments, a collimator actuator includes one or more electricalconnections, referred to herein as electrical leads, via which theactuator can receive command signals to adjustably position thecollimator. The collimator actuator can be coupled to the one or moreelectrical leads prior to coupling to the collimator, subsequent to suchcoupling, some combination thereof, etc.

At 1208, the collimator is installed on one or more static components.The installation can be implemented subsequent to coupling one or morecollimator actuators to the collimator, such that, in some embodiments,installing the collimator includes coupling at least a portion of one ormore collimator actuators to one or more static components. For example,where the actuator collimator includes a coil assembly directly coupledto the collimator and a magnet coupled to the coil via one or morespring assemblies, installing the collimator can include directlycoupling the magnet to a static component, including one or more of asubstrate, mounting structure, some combination thereof, etc.

One or more additional components can be coupled to the lighting modulesubsequent to installing the collimator. For example, where the lightingmodule includes a cover, housing, etc. such a component, which can beincluded in the static components, can be coupled to one or more of thesubstrate, mounting structure, etc. subsequent to installing thecollimator.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for adjustably directing a light beamgenerated by a lighting module, according to some embodiments. Such amethod can be implemented with regard to any of the above embodiments,including any of the above embodiments of lighting modules. The methodcan be at least partially implemented by one or more lighting modulesbased on command signals received from one or more computer systems. Insome embodiments, the method can be at least partially implemented byone or more computer systems.

At 1302, a beam adjustment command signal is received at a collimatoractuator which is coupled to a collimator included in a lighting module.The command signal can include an electrical current, having aparticular current strength, where the particular strength of thecurrent is associated with the particular adjustment of the collimatorcommanded. In some embodiments, multiple separate command signals can bereceived at multiple separate collimator actuators, where the separatecommand signals command separate different adjustments to the respectivecollimator actuators. For example, where a collimator is commanded to betranslated a particular distance away from the light source along theoptical axis and to be further translated another particular distancealong an axis orthogonal to the optical axis, a first command signal canbe received at a first collimator actuator which is configured toadjustably position the collimator along the optical axis, while asecond command signal can be received at a second collimator actuatorwhich is configured to adjustably position the collimator along theorthogonal axis. The first and second command signals can each bedifferent and associated with the corresponding adjustment in therespective directional axis. In some embodiments, a command signal isgenerated at a computer system according to a determined currentstrength which is determined to be associated with a particularcollimator adjustment which is itself associated with a particular beamadjustment.

At 1304, a collimator included in the lighting module is adjusted by oneor more collimator actuators based on the received one or more commandsignals. A collimator actuator can include a Lorentz actuator devicewhich, based on a command signal which is an electrical current appliedto a coil assembly of the actuator in the presence of a magnetic fieldof the magnet of the actuator, generates Lorentz forces which adjustablyposition the collimator to a particular position. As a result of suchadjustable positioning, the light beam generated by the lighting moduleis adjusted, as the adjusted collimator position can result in anadjustment of one or more parameters of the beam collimated and directedby the collimator, where the one or more parameters includes one or moreof beam direction, beam angle, some combination thereof, etc.

At 1306, a position sensor included in the lighting module generates oneor more instances of position data indicating a position of thecollimator. In some embodiments, the position sensor includes one ormore position sensors which each generate data indicating a displacementof the collimator, in one or more particular directional axes, from anequilibrium position. In some embodiments, one or more of the positionsensors include a hall sensor which generates an electrical outputsignal based at least in part upon a magnetic field, generated by one ormore of the collimator actuators, which is sensed by the hall sensor,where the magnetic field strength sensed by the hall sensor isassociated with a displacement of the collimator. Position datagenerated by a position sensor can be transmitted to one or morelighting control modules, where the one or more lighting control modulescan generate additional beam adjustment commands based on the positiondata.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for adjustably controlling a lightbeam generated by a lighting module, such that the light beam iscontrolled to selectively illuminate one or more particular regions,according to some embodiments. The method can be implemented in any ofthe above embodiments. The method can be implemented by one or morelighting control modules, which themselves can be implemented by one ormore computer systems.

At 1402, an image of at least a portion of a camera field of view of acamera module is received. The image can be received based at least inpart upon a command signal to the camera module to capture the image.The image can include an image of a scene included within the presentcamera field of view and can include one or more various subjects whichcorrespond to real-world objects located within the real-world scenecaptured in the image.

At 1404, one or more of the subjects included in the image of the camerafield of view are identified. Such identification can be based onprocessing the image and comparing various image features to one or moreknown features which correspond with particular subjects, including ahuman figure, limb, article of furniture, etc. Identification of asubject can include identifying a limited region of the camera field ofview which is associated with the location of the subject within thecamera field of view.

In some embodiments, a subject is particularly identified based onprocessing a limited region of the image, relative to a remainder regionof the image. The limited region can be specified based on one or moresets of input data, including one or more user-initiated commands,received via a user interface, which specify the limited region.

At 1406, a determination is made regarding whether to select one or moreparticular identified subjects. Such a determination can be based atleast in part upon user-initiated commands received via a userinterface, a present focus or zoom level of the camera module withregard to the identified subjects, a present center of the camera fieldof view with regard to the identified subjects, a comparison of apriority of the one or more real-world objects associated with theidentified subjects, some combination thereof, etc. For example, aparticular subject can be selected based on a user interaction with auser interface via which a user-initiated command selecting a particularsubject is received. In another example, a particular subject can beselected based on a determination that the camera field of view isfocused on at least the particular subject, that the camera field ofview is most closely centered on at least the particular subject, thatthe particular subject is a highest-priority subject within the camerafield of view, etc.

If not, at 1408, a determination can be made to generally illuminate atleast a portion of the camera field of view, such that the light beamgenerated by the lighting module illuminates some or all of the subjectswithin the field of view without selection.

If so, at 1410, a particular limited region of the camera field of viewin which the particular subject is located is determined. The particularlimited region can be similar to a limited region determined at 1404 forthe image subject. The particular limited region can include a limitedregion which is a smallest region of the camera field of view, withinone or more threshold margins, which encompasses the particular subjectand excludes at least one remainder region of the camera field of view.The particular limited region can be a smallest limited region of thecamera field of view which encompasses the particular subject andexcludes all other subjects within the camera field of view.

At 1412, one or more beam parameters are determined for a light beam,generated by the lighting module, which selectively illuminates at leastthe particular subject within the particular limited region, relative toa remainder region of the camera field of view. Such determination caninclude determining beam parameters which result in the generated lightbeam selectively illuminating the particular limited region of thecamera field of view, relative to a remainder region of the camera fieldof view. As used herein, selectively illuminating a region, relative toanother region, and be referred to as selectively illuminating a region,exclusive of illuminating another region. Beam parameters which can bedetermined can include a beam direction of the light beam which resultsin the beam being directed to the particular limited region, one or morebeam angles of the beam which results in the beam selectivelyilluminating the particular limited region relative to a remainderregion, a beam intensity of the beam, a beam shape of the beam whichresults in the beam selectively illuminating the particular limitedregion relative to a remainder region, some combination thereof, etc.

At 1414, a position of a collimator included within the lighting modulewhich is associated with the generated light beam having the parametersdetermined at 1412 is determined. The position can be determined basedat least in part upon an output signal generated by one or more positionsensors included in the lighting module. Such position sensors caninclude one or more hall sensor devices which can determine a positionof the collimator based at least in part upon a magnetic field,generated by one or more components of the actuators included in thelighting module, which is sensed by the one or more hall sensor devices.The position can be determined as a particular set of positioncoordinates of the collimator with reference to a reference point withinthe lighting module. For example, the position can be determined as aset of particular distances of a center of mass of the collimator,relative to a center of mass of the light source of the lighting module,along one or more respective particular directional axes. In someembodiments, determination of the collimator position includesdetermination of an adjustment of the collimator by one or morecollimator actuators to adjustably position the collimator at thedetermined position. In some embodiments, determining the adjustment caninclude determining a particular command signal to be transmitted to thecollimator actuators to cause the actuators to adjustably position thecollimator at the particular position. For example, where the lightingmodule includes a collimator actuator which is a Lorentz actuator thatcan adjustably position the collimator based on an electrical currentstrength of an electrical signal received at a coil assembly of theactuator, the determination at 1414 can include determining a commandsignal which comprises an electrical signal having a particular currentstrength which corresponds with the actuator adjustably positioning thecollimator to the particular position determined at 1414.

At 1416, one or more command signals are generated for transmission toone or more collimator actuators included in the lighting module andcoupled to the collimator, where the one or more command signals includesignals to one or more collimator actuators which cause the actuators toadjustably position the collimator to adjust the light beam parameters,such that the light beam, when generated by the lighting module,selectively illuminates one or more limited regions of the camera fieldof view. In some embodiments, the command signals include one or morecommand signals which cause a particular adjustment of the light outputof one more light sources in the lighting modules, such that the beamintensity is adjusted to a particular value.

In some embodiments, one or more beam parameters, including one or moreof beam direction, beam angle, beam intensity, some combination thereof,etc. can be adjustably controlled based at least in part upon adjustablycontrolling one or more separate light sources included in a lightingmodule, where the lighting module includes a set of at least partiallyindependently controllable light sources. For example, in someembodiments, generating output command signals at 1416 can includegenerating one or more light source command signals which, whentransmitted to one or more separate light sources in the set of lightsources, causes the separate light sources to activate, deactivate, etc.such that one or more beam parameters are adjusted.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart of a method for adjustably controlling alight beam generated by a lighting module, such that the light beam iscontrolled to selectively illuminate one or more particular regions,according to some embodiments. The method can be implemented in any ofthe above embodiments. The method can be implemented by one or morelighting control modules, which themselves can be implemented by one ormore computer systems.

At 1502, a user-initiated command is received. The user-initiatedcommand can be received based on a user interaction with one or moreuser interfaces associated with an electronic device, including atouchscreen display interface. In some embodiments, the receiveduser-initiated command includes a specification of a particular limitedregion of a camera field of view, of a particular camera module, and acommand to selectively illuminate the specified particular limitedregion, relative to a remainder region of the camera field of view. Insome embodiments, the received user-initiated command includes aspecification of a particular subject located within a particularlimited region of a camera field of view, of a particular camera module,and a command to selectively illuminate the specified particularsubject, relative to a remainder region of the camera field of view. Thecommand can be received based on a user interaction with a displayedimage of one or more regions of the camera field of view, and aspecification of a region, subject etc. can include a user interactionwith a particular potion of the displayed image which corresponds to theparticular limited region, subject, etc. For example, a user-initiatedcommand which includes a specification of a limited region in the centerof the camera field of view can be received based on a user interactionwith a corresponding center region of a displayed image of the camerafield of view.

In some embodiments, the received user-initiated command includes auser-initiated command to selectively illuminate the specified subject,limited region, etc. Such a command can be received separately from auser interaction which specifies the subject, region, etc., including acommand received based on an audio command received from a user via amicrophone interface of the electronic device. In some embodiments, thecommand to selectively illuminate a subject, region, etc. is coupledwith a specification of the subject, region, etc., such that the commandto selectively illuminate a region, subject, etc. is received based on auser interaction with a user interface which specifies the region,subject, etc.

At 1504, a particular subject is identified, based on the specifiedsubject, limited region, etc. Where the user-initiated command includesa specification of a particular subject, the specified subject can beidentified as the particular subject. Where the user-initiated commandincludes a specification of a particular limited region of the camerafield of view, one or more subjects located within the limited regioncan be identified, based on processing a captured image of at least thelimited region. Where multiple subjects are located within the limitedregion, a particular one of the multiple subjects can be identifiedbased on one or more factors, including proximity of the subject to thecenter of the limited region, portion of the limited region occupied bythe subject, associated priority of the subject relative to prioritiesof other subjects within the limited region, etc. For example, where aspecified limited region includes an subject which represents a humanhand near the center of the limited region and occupying ˜50% of theregion and further includes an subject which represents an article offurniture near the edge of the limited region and occupying ˜10% of theregion, the subject of the human hand can be identified as theparticular subject based on centrality, size and priority of the subjectin the limited region.

At 1506, one or more beam parameters are determined for a light beam,generated at a lighting module, which selectively illuminates theparticular subject, relative to a remainder region of the camera fieldof view. Such determination can include determining a particular limitedregion of the camera field of view which encompasses the particularsubject and determining beam parameters for a light beam whichselectively illuminates the particular limited region. The particularlimited region can be similar to a region specified in a user-initiatedcommand. Beam parameters which can be determined can include a beamdirection of the light beam which results in the beam being directed tothe particular limited region, one or more beam angles of the beam whichresults in the beam selectively illuminating the particular limitedregion relative to a remainder region, a beam intensity of the beam, abeam shape of the beam which results in the beam selectivelyilluminating the particular limited region relative to a remainderregion, some combination thereof, etc.

At 1508, a position of a collimator included within the lighting modulewhich is associated with the generated light beam having the parametersdetermined at 1506 is determined. The position can be determined basedat least in part upon an output signal generated by one or more positionsensors included in the lighting module. Such position sensors caninclude one or more hall sensor devices which can determine a positionof the collimator based at least in part upon a magnetic field,generated by one or more components of the actuators included in thelighting module, which is sensed by the one or more hall sensor devices.The position can be determined as a particular set of positioncoordinates of the collimator with reference to a reference point withinthe lighting module. For example, the position can be determined as aset of particular distances of a center of mass of the collimator,relative to a center of mass of the light source of the lighting module,along one or more respective particular directional axes. In someembodiments, determination of the collimator position includesdetermination of an adjustment of the collimator by one or morecollimator actuators to adjustably position the collimator at thedetermined position. In some embodiments, determining the adjustment caninclude determining a particular command signal to be transmitted to thecollimator actuators to cause the actuators to adjustably position thecollimator at the particular position. For example, where the lightingmodule includes a collimator actuator which is a Lorentz actuator thatcan adjustably position the collimator based on an electrical currentstrength of an electrical signal received at a coil assembly of theactuator, the determination at 1508 can include determining a commandsignal which comprises an electrical signal having a particular currentstrength which corresponds with the actuator adjustably positioning thecollimator to the particular position determined at 1508.

At 1510, one or more command signals are generated for transmission toone or more collimator actuators included in the lighting module andcoupled to the collimator, where the one or more command signals includesignals to one or more collimator actuators which cause the actuators toadjustably position the collimator to adjust the light beam parameters,such that the light beam, when generated by the lighting module,selectively illuminates one or more limited regions of the camera fieldof view. In some embodiments, the command signals include one or morecommand signals which cause a particular adjustment of the light outputof one more light sources in the lighting modules, such that the beamintensity is adjusted to a particular value.

Multifunction Device Examples

Embodiments of electronic devices in which embodiments of lightingmodules, camera modules, lighting control modules, etc. as describedherein may be used, user interfaces for such devices, and associatedprocesses for using such devices are described. As noted above, in someembodiments, lighting modules, camera modules, lighting control modules,etc. can be included in an electronic device which can include a cameradevice, a device which includes a camera device, etc. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Other portable electronic devices, such aslaptops, cell phones, pad devices, or tablet computers withtouch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touch screen displays and/or touchpads), may also be used. It should also be understood that, in someembodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but isa desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch screendisplay and/or a touch pad). In some embodiments, the device is a gamingcomputer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gamingcontroller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a camera device.

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may one ormore common physical user-interface devices, such as the touch-sensitivesurface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well ascorresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/orvaried from one application to the next and/or within a respectiveapplication. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as thetouch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety ofapplications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent tothe user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withcameras. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunctiondevice 1600 with camera 1664 in accordance with some embodiments. Camera1664 is sometimes called an “optical sensor” for convenience, and mayalso be known as or called an optical sensor system.

Device 1600 may include memory 1602 (which may include one or morecomputer readable storage mediums), memory controller 1622, one or moreprocessing units (CPU's) 1620, peripherals interface 1618, RF circuitry1608, audio circuitry 1610, speaker 1611, touch-sensitive display system1612, microphone 1613, input/output (I/O) subsystem 1606, other input orcontrol devices 1616, and external port 1624. Device 1600 may includeone or more optical sensors 1664. These components may communicate overone or more communication buses or signal lines 1603.

It should be appreciated that device 1600 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 1600 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 16 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 1602 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 1602 by other components of device 1600, suchas CPU 1620 and the peripherals interface 1618, may be controlled bymemory controller 1622.

Peripherals interface 1618 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 1620 and memory 1602. The one or moreprocessors 1620 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 1602 to perform various functions fordevice 1600 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 1618, CPU 1620, and memorycontroller 1622 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 1604.In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 1608 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 1608 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 1608 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 1608 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 1610, speaker 1611, and microphone 1613 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 1600. Audio circuitry 1610 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 1618, converts the audio data toan electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker1611. Speaker 1611 converts the electrical signal to human-audible soundwaves. Audio circuitry 1610 also receives electrical signals convertedby microphone 1613 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 1610 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 1618 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 1608 byperipherals interface 1618. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 1610also includes a headset jack (e.g., 1612, FIG. 16). The headset jackprovides an interface between audio circuitry 1610 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 1606 couples input/output peripherals on device 1600, suchas touch screen 1612 and other input control devices 1616, toperipherals interface 1618. I/O subsystem 1606 may include displaycontroller 1656 and one or more input controllers 1660 for other inputor control devices. The one or more input controllers 160 receive/sendelectrical signals from/to other input or control devices 1616. Theother input control devices 1616 may include physical buttons (e.g.,push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks,click wheels, and so forth. In some alternative embodiments, inputcontroller(s) 1660 may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: akeyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse.The one or more buttons (e.g., 1608, FIG. 16) may include an up/downbutton for volume control of speaker 1611 and/or microphone 1613. Theone or more buttons may include a push button (e.g., 1606, FIG. 16).

Touch-sensitive display 1612 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 1656receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 1612.Touch screen 1612 displays visual output to the user. The visual outputmay include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof(collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all ofthe visual output may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 1612 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set ofsensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactilecontact. Touch screen 1612 and display controller 1656 (along with anyassociated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory 1602) detectcontact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen1612 and converts the detected contact into interaction withuser-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages orimages) that are displayed on touch screen 1612. In an exampleembodiment, a point of contact between touch screen 1612 and the usercorresponds to a finger of the user.

Touch screen 1612 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 1612 and display controller 1656 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 1612. In an example embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology may be used.

Touch screen 1612 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dots perinch (dpi). In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolutionof approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen1612 using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger,and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed towork primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can beless precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contactof a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the devicetranslates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursorposition or command for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 1600 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 1612 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 1600 also includes power system 1662 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 1662 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 1600 may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras1664. FIG. 16 shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensorcontroller 1658 in I/O subsystem 1606. Optical sensor 1664 may includecharge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor 1664 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 1643(also called a camera module), optical sensor 1664 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 1600, opposite touch screen display 1612 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other videoconference participants on the touchscreen display.

Device 1600 may also include one or more proximity sensors 1666. FIG. 16shows proximity sensor 1666 coupled to peripherals interface 1618.Alternatively, proximity sensor 1666 may be coupled to input controller1660 in I/O subsystem 1606. In some embodiments, the proximity sensorturns off and disables touch screen 1612 when the multifunction deviceis placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phonecall).

Device 1600 includes one or more orientation sensors 1668. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 1600. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 16 shows the one or more orientationsensors 1668 coupled to peripherals interface 1618. Alternatively, theone or more orientation sensors 1668 may be coupled to an inputcontroller 1660 in I/O subsystem 1606. In some embodiments, informationis displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or alandscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one ormore orientation sensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 1602include operating system 1626, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 1628, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 1630,graphics module (or set of instructions) 1632, text input module (or setof instructions) 1634, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 1635, arbiter module 1657 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 1636. Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 1602 storesdevice/global internal state 1657, as shown in FIGS. 1A-B and 7.Device/global internal state 1657 includes one or more of: activeapplication state, indicating which applications, if any, are currentlyactive; display state, indicating what applications, views or otherinformation occupy various regions of touch screen display 1612; sensorstate, including information obtained from the device's various sensorsand input control devices 1616; and location information concerning thedevice's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 1626 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS,or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes varioussoftware components and/or drivers for controlling and managing generalsystem tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 1628 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 1624 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 1608 and/orexternal port 1624. External port 1624 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus(USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devicesor indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.).

Contact/motion module 1630 may detect contact with touch screen 1612 (inconjunction with display controller 1656) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 1630 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 1630receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 1630 and display controller 1656detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 1630 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 1632 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 1612 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 1632 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 1632 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 1656.

Text input module 1634, which may be a component of graphics module1632, provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications(e.g., contacts 1637, e-mail 1640, IM 141, browser 1647, and any otherapplication that needs text input).

GPS module 1635 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 1638 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera module 1643 as picture/videometadata, and to applications that provide location-based services suchas weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigationwidgets).

Applications 1636 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 1637 (sometimes called an address book or        contact list);    -   telephone module 1638;    -   video conferencing module 1639;    -   e-mail client module 1640;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 1641;    -   workout support module 1642;    -   camera module 1643 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 1644;    -   browser module 1647;    -   calendar module 1648;    -   widget modules 1649, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 1649-1, stocks widget 1649-2, calculator widget 1649-3,        alarm clock widget 1649-4, dictionary widget 1649-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        1649-6;    -   widget creator module 1650 for making user-created widgets        1649-6;    -   search module 1651;    -   video and music player module 1652, which may be made up of a        video player    -   module and a music player module;    -   notes module 1653;    -   map module 1654; and/or    -   online video module 1655.

Examples of other applications 1636 that may be stored in memory 1602include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display controller 1656, contactmodule 1630, graphics module 1632, and text input module 1634, contactsmodule 1637 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 1692 of contacts module 1637 inmemory 1602), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deletingname(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mailaddress(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name;associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names;providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/orfacilitate communications by telephone 1638, video conference 1639,e-mail 1640, or IM 1641; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, audio circuitry 1610, speaker1611, microphone 1613, touch screen 1612, display controller 1656,contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, and text input module 1634,telephone module 1638 may be used to enter a sequence of characterscorresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephonenumbers in address book 1637, modify a telephone number that has beenentered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation anddisconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As notedabove, the wireless communication may use any of a variety ofcommunications standards, protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, audio circuitry 1610, speaker1611, microphone 1613, touch screen 1612, display controller 1656,optical sensor 1664, optical sensor controller 1658, contact module1630, graphics module 1632, text input module 1634, contact list 1637,and telephone module 1638, videoconferencing module 169 includesexecutable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a videoconference between a user and one or more other participants inaccordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, displaycontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, and textinput module 1634, e-mail client module 1640 includes executableinstructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response touser instructions. In conjunction with image management module 1644,e-mail client module 1640 makes it very easy to create and send e-mailswith still or video images taken with camera module 1643.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, displaycontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, and textinput module 1634, the instant messaging module 1641 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, displaycontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, text inputmodule 1634, GPS module 1635, map module 1654, and music player module1646, workout support module 1642 includes executable instructions tocreate workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burninggoals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receiveworkout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; selectand play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workoutdata.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display controller 1656, opticalsensor(s) 1664, optical sensor controller 1658, contact module 1630,graphics module 1632, and image management module 1644, camera module1643 includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 1602, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 1602.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display controller 1656, contactmodule 1630, graphics module 1632, text input module 1634, and cameramodule 1643, image management module 1644 includes executableinstructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate,label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), andstore still and/or video images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, display systemcontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, and textinput module 1634, browser module 1647 includes executable instructionsto browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, display systemcontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, text inputmodule 1634, e-mail client module 1640, and browser module 1647,calendar module 1648 includes executable instructions to create,display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars(e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with userinstructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, display systemcontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, text inputmodule 1634, and browser module 1647, widget modules 1649 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 1649-1, stocks widget 1649-2, calculator widget 16493,alarm clock widget 1649-4, and dictionary widget 1649-5) or created bythe user (e.g., user-created widget 1649-6). In some embodiments, awidget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In someembodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) fileand a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, display systemcontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, text inputmodule 1634, and browser module 1647, the widget creator module 1650 maybe used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specifiedportion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display system controller 1656,contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, and text input module 1634,search module 1651 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 1602 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display system controller 1656,contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, audio circuitry 1610, speaker1611, RF circuitry 1608, and browser module 1647, video and music playermodule 1652 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 1612 or on an external, connected display via external port1624). In some embodiments, device 1600 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display controller 1656, contactmodule 1630, graphics module 1632, and text input module 1634, notesmodule 1653 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes,to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 1608, touch screen 1612, display systemcontroller 1656, contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, text inputmodule 1634, GPS module 1635, and browser module 1647, map module 1654may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and dataassociated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and otherpoints of interest at or near a particular location; and otherlocation-based data) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 1612, display system controller 1656,contact module 1630, graphics module 1632, audio circuitry 1610, speaker1611, RF circuitry 1608, text input module 1634, e-mail client module1640, and browser module 1647, online video module 1655 includesinstructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., bystreaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or onan external, connected display via external port 1624), send an e-mailwith a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage onlinevideos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments,instant messaging module 1641, rather than e-mail client module 1640, isused to send a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 1602 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 1602 may store additional modules and datastructures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 1600 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device1600, the number of physical input control devices (such as pushbuttons, dials, and the like) on device 1600 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 1600 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 1600. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 17 illustrates a portable multifunction device 1600 having a touchscreen 1612 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within a user interface (UI). In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example,with one or more fingers 1702 (not drawn to scale in the Figure) or oneor more styluses 1703 (not drawn to scale in the figure).

Device 1600 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as“home” or menu button 1704. As described previously, menu button 1704may be used to navigate to any application 1636 in a set of applicationsthat may be executed on device 1600. Alternatively, in some embodiments,the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a graphics userinterface (GUI) displayed on touch screen 1612.

In one embodiment, device 1600 includes touch screen 1612, menu button1704, push button 1706 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 1708, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 1710, head set jack 1712, and docking/charging externalport 1624. Push button 1706 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 1600 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone1613.

It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are givenwith reference to optical sensor/camera 1664 (on the front of a device),a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from thedisplay may be used instead of or in addition to an opticalsensor/camera 1664 on the front of a device.

Example Computer System

FIG. 18 illustrates an example computer system 1800 that may beconfigured to include or execute any or all of the embodiments describedabove. In different embodiments, computer system 1800 may be any ofvarious types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personalcomputer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad,or netbook computer, cell phone, smartphone, PDA, portable media device,mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, networkcomputer, a camera or video camera, a set top box, a mobile device, aconsumer device, video game console, handheld video game device,application server, storage device, a television, a video recordingdevice, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or ingeneral any type of computing or electronic device.

Various embodiments of a lighting control module as described herein,may be executed in one or more computer systems 1800, which may interactwith various other devices. Note that any component, action, orfunctionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 17 may beimplemented on one or more computers configured as computer system 1800of FIG. 18, according to various embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, computer system 1800 includes one or more processors 1810coupled to a system memory 1820 via an input/output (I/O) interface1830. Computer system 1800 further includes a network interface 1840coupled to I/O interface 1830, and one or more input/output devices1850, such as cursor control device 1860, keyboard 1870, and display(s)1880. In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may beimplemented using a single instance of computer system 1800, while inother embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making upcomputer system 1800, may be configured to host different portions orinstances of embodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elementsmay be implemented via one or more nodes of computer system 1800 thatare distinct from those nodes implementing other elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 1800 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 1810, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 1810 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 1810 may be any suitable processor capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodimentsprocessors 1810 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the ×8 18, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 1810 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 1820 may be configured to store control programinstructions 1822 and/or control data accessible by processor 1810. Invarious embodiments, system memory 1820 may be implemented using anysuitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM),synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or anyother type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, programinstructions 1822 may be configured to implement a control applicationincorporating any of the functionality described above. Additionally,existing control data of memory 1820 may include any of the informationor data structures described above. In some embodiments, programinstructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon differenttypes of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate fromsystem memory 1820 or computer system 1800. While computer system 1800is described as implementing the functionality of functional blocks ofprevious Figures, any of the functionality described herein may beimplemented via such a computer system.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 1830 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 1810, system memory 1820, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 1840 orother peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 1850. In someembodiments, I/O interface 1830 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 1820) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 1810). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 1830 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 1830 may be split into two or more separate components, suchas a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 1830, suchas an interface to system memory 1820, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 1810.

Network interface 1840 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 1800 and other devices attached to a network1885 (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computersystem 1800. Network 1885 may in various embodiments include one or morenetworks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g.,an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface1840 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 1850 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 1800.Multiple input/output devices 1850 may be present in computer system1800 or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system 1800. Insome embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate fromcomputer system 1800 and may interact with one or more nodes of computersystem 1800 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 1840.

As shown in FIG. 18, memory 1820 may include program instructions 1822,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above. In other embodiments, differentelements and data may be included. Note that data may include any dataor information described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 1800 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 1800 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 1800 may be transmitted to computer system1800 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexample configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A device comprising: a first camera configured tocapture an image of a first field of view; a second camera configured tocapture an image of a second field of view; and a lighting moduleconfigured to selectively illuminate the first field of view and thesecond field of view, wherein the light module comprises: a lightsource; and a light direction device configured to: direct a light beamfrom the light source to illuminate a first illumination areacorresponding to the first field of view when the first camera iscapturing an image of the first field of view; and direct a light beamfrom the light source to illuminate a second illumination areacorresponding to the second field of view when the second camera iscapturing an image of the second field of view.
 27. The device of claim26, wherein the light redirecting device further comprises: an opticallens configured to redirect light or a reflector configured to redirectlight; and an actuator configured to: adjust the light direction deviceto a first position relative to the light source to adjust the lightingmodule to illuminate the first illumination area corresponding to thefirst field of view; and adjust the light direction device to a secondposition relative to the light source to adjust the lighting module toilluminate the second illumination area corresponding to the secondfield of view.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the actuatorcomprises a voice coil motor (VCM) configured to adjust the position ofthe light direction device relative to the light source.
 29. The deviceof claim 26, further comprising: a processor configured to: cause thelight direction device to be adjusted to a first position when the firstcamera is capturing an image of the first field of view; and cause thelight direction device to be adjusted to a second position when thesecond camera is capturing an image of the second field of view.
 30. Thedevice of claim 29, wherein the illumination area corresponding tosecond field of view is a limited region within the first field of view.31. The device of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configuredto: identify a subject in the first field of view of the first camera;and select the second field of view of the second camera based onidentifying the subject in the first field of view.
 32. The device ofclaim 31, wherein the processor is further configured to: track theidentified subject in the first field of view of the first camera; andautomatically adjust the light direction device such that the beam oflight from the light source illuminates a limited region within thefirst field of view comprising the identified subject.
 33. The device ofclaim 30, wherein the processor is configured to cause the first cameraand the second camera to capture sequential images of the first field ofview and the second field of view, and wherein the processor isconfigured to automatically adjust the light direction device to thefirst position to illuminate the first illumination area correspondingto the first field of view when the first camera is capturing the imageof the first field of view and further automatically adjust the lightdirection device to the second position to illuminate the secondillumination area corresponding to the second field of view when thesecond camera is sequentially capturing the image of the second field ofview.
 34. The device of claim 26, wherein the first camera is awide-angle camera and the second camera is a narrow-angle camera.
 35. Amethod comprising: illuminating, by a lighting module, an illuminationarea corresponding to first field of view of a first camera and a secondillumination area corresponding to a second field of view of a secondcamera, wherein said illuminating comprises: adjusting a light directiondevice of the lighting module such that the light direction devicedirects a beam of light from a light source of the lighting module toilluminate the first illumination area when the first camera iscapturing an image of the first field of view; and adjusting the lightdirection device of the lighting module such that the light directiondevice directs the beam of light from the light source to illuminate thesecond illumination area when the second camera is capturing an image ofthe second field of view.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the firstcamera is a wide-angle camera and the second camera is a narrow-anglecamera.
 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the illumination areacorresponding to the second field of view is a limited region within thefirst field of view, wherein said adjusting the light direction deviceto illuminate the second illumination area corresponding to the secondfield of view comprises adjusting a position of the light directiondevice relative to the light source to illuminate the limited regionwithin the first field of view.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein saidadjusting the light direction device to illuminate the first or secondillumination area comprises adjusting a beam angle of the beam of lightfrom the light source.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein saidadjusting the light direction device to illuminate the first or secondillumination area comprises adjusting a beam direction of the beam oflight from the light source.
 40. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing program instructions, that when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to implement a lightingcontrol module configured to: cause, when an image is being captured bya first camera, a light direction device of a lighting module to beadjusted such that the light direction device directs a beam of lightfrom a light source to illuminate a first illumination areacorresponding to a first field of view of the first camera; and cause,when an image is being captured by a second camera, the light directiondevice of the lighting module to be adjusted such that the lightdirection device directs a beam of light from the light source toilluminate a second illumination area corresponding to a second field ofview of the second camera.
 41. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 40, wherein the first camera and the second cameracapture sequential images, and wherein the lighting control module isconfigured to: sequentially cause a position of the light directiondevice to be adjusted to a first position to illuminate the firstillumination area corresponding to the field of view and a secondposition to illuminate the second illumination area corresponding to thesecond field of view.
 42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 40, wherein the second illumination area corresponding to thesecond field of view is a limited region within the first field of view.43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42, wherein thefirst camera is a wide-angle camera and the second camera is anarrow-angle camera.
 44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 40, wherein the lighting control module is further configured tocause the beam of light to be adjusted based, at least in part, on auser input.
 45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44,wherein adjusting the light direction device causes: a beam angle of thebeam of light emitted from the lighting module to be adjusted; or a beamdirection of the beam of light emitted from the lighting module to beadjusted.